SOUTH COAST CRICKET
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Oak Flats, Shellharbour and Kookas are locked in a fight for two finals spot heading into the last round of South Coast cricket.
The washout of Saturday's second day of round 13 left Oak Flats to slip from third to fourth and behind Kookas, who took the 14 first innings points on the opening day against Gerringong-Jamberoo.
Albion Park had been left to chase an improbable 413 for victory against Oak Flats but the washout gave the Park seven points for the draw and should seal their semi-final spot.
Lake Illawarra had already clinched first-innings points on day one against The Rail and though they missed out on an outright, the Lakers are the new competition leaders.
"Our focus is to finish top two, which is hugely important if we get rain in the semis," Lakers skipper Shane Cody said.
"Albion Park beat us earlier in the season, so that's in our minds and we want to get one back on them."
Oak Flats have lost just once all season but are now fourth after rain denied the Rats an outright win against The Rail in round 12, and the washout almost certainly cost them first-innings points against the Park.
With the top four teams to face one another in a dream final round beginning on Saturday, all spots are up for grabs.
Oak Flats are away to Kookas, with the winner to seal a top-four spot, but the loser will miss out if fifth-placed Shellharbour beat Gerringong-Jamberoo outright or have a strong bonus points first-innings win. Shellharbour's fighting draw against the Lakers in round 12 could prove crucial to their finals chances which now rest on a big away win over the struggling Jets.
Shellharbour head into the last round 12 points behind Oak Flats and if they beat the Jets, and Oak Flats are beaten by Kookas, then Shellharbour and Oak Flats would be tied on 140 points - setting up a scramble for second-innings bonus points or an outright result.
Finally, the Sommers Twenty20 Cup semi-finals were washed out yesterday for a second straight Sunday leaving only this Sunday available to complete the competition.
Gerringong host Oak Flats, with Lakers at home to Albion Park.