TIM Laws became the eleventh player to post a century in Illawarra cricket this season after leading Wollongong’s massive 350 run-plus charge against premiers Balgownie at North Dalton Park.
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The former Keira batsman was linked to Balgownie before joining Wollongong and smashed 110, with the home side in sight of a first win after making 357 off just 75.4 overs on day one.
Rain delayed the start at North Dalton Park, but on a slow, placid wicket Laws dominated.
The Illawarra rep batsman had great support from Steve Hancock (61), Blake Owen (60) and David Wood (48) in Wollongong's best batting day in many seasons.
Bally skipper Jamie Fleming (3-101) toiled hard but the premiers have it all to do, resuming at 1/41.
''It's a while since we've batted as well as this,'' Wollongong skipper Dave Studholme said.
''Uni put 350 on us, so it's nice to return it to someone and great not just for Lawsy, but the help around him too. We've got to finish the job now.''
Only Port Kembla, Wests and Keira do not have a batsman to make a century in the first seven rounds of the season, while Hayden McCrae (Helensburgh) and Andrew Page (Uni) have two tons.
In other games, premiership leaders Keira made just 108 against the also-unbeaten second-placed Corrimal at Ziems Park.
It was the first big test for Keira against a top four team from last season and only Aaron Hickson (31) contributed, with Ryan Hunter taking 3-16, to go with his 7-17 against Dapto last week.
Pat Dillon also claimed 2-32 for the Cougars who resume at 1/63 with skipper Joe McDevitt (30no) well set.
Port Kembla and Dapto is evenly balanced after Dapto were bowled out for 208 right on stumps.
Dapto skipper Chris Georgiou (76) top-scored, while Matt Skora has been a wickettaker in recent weeks and took 5-46.
Play was stopped for around 10 minutes due to rain, which Port skipper Ryan Mattas said changed the momentum.
‘‘We were on top, had to go off and the ball got wet and we didn’t bowl as well after that,’’ Mattas said.
‘‘But 200 odd is certainly gettable if we bat well.’’
Meanwhile, University have the upper hand at 1-68 chasing Wests 205.
Craig Hood (71) batted well for Wests, while Kurt Majoor (2-31) and Michael Waldren (3-26) led the Students’ attack.
Uni skipper James Chappell was dismissed in the last over for 46, but the home side are in the box seat.
In the other game, Norths are 3/122 (Matt Salakas 77no) against Helensburgh.
