After beating the premiers three weeks ago, thumping Chiefs, then holding on to a 10-all draw with Cardinals last week, Pirates had no answer for the Eagles defence, led by starting pitcher Chad Blanch.

Blanch was virtually unstoppable pitching the entire seven innings for just one hit, a single by the Bucs' Paul Cuthbertson, and shutting out the usually productive Pirates bats. 

In contrast the Eagles offence ran riot with five of their nine batters registering multiple hits. Blanch also went on to hit 2/4 with five runs batted in (RBIs). 

Team mate Kane Abbott also hit an impressive 3/4 that included a home run and three RBIs.

Summing up Pirates' day, the ‘10-run mercy rule’ was enforced while trailing 12-nil after seven. At Cringila Park, Dapto Chiefs outlasted Wollongong Cardinals to win 13-10 inside eight innings.

Chiefs win was built on seven runs scored after the first two innings.

The surprise packet of the game was Chiefs' starting pitcher Nathan Leicht, who only conceded one earned run, even though he gave up eight hits and three walks through five innings.

He was well supported by Chiefs' slugger Ben Garvey who was outstanding with the bat going 5/5 with four RBIs. Only Cardinals' Josh Dean showed any resistance batting 4/5 that included a home run and four RBIs of his own. Young prospect Bailey Van Leuwen did enough to close out the seventh and eighth innings for just two runs.

ILLAWARRA

First grade: Berkeley Eagles 12 d Northern Pirates 0, Dapto Chiefs 13 d Wollongong Cardinals 10. 

Second grade: Pirates 7 d Eagles A 4, Dapto Panthers 15 d Eagles B 1.

Fourth grade: Cardinals 11 d Pirates 10, Cardinals A 7 d Shellharbour Warriors 6. 

Fifth grade: Cardinals B 13 d Cardinals A 6, Warriors 12 d Shoalhaven Mariners 3; Panthers 26 d Pirates 6.

Sixth grade: Pirates 18 d Panthers 4; Cardinals 21 d Chiefs 10,  Warriors 15 def. Mariners 3.