Shellharbour are looking to produce a quality batting performance on Saturday to topple Lake Illawarra and build crucial momentum heading into next week's South Coast Cricket finals.
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After producing a quality bowling display to bowl the Lakers out for 150 last Saturday, Shellharbour stumbled late to fall to 4-43 at stumps.
While disappointed to head to the sheds four wickets down, Shellharbour captain Ned Taylor was overall pleased with how the day played out.
"The match is evenly poised," Taylor said. "I would've liked to go into the end of the day one down, two down max.
"But they bowled as well as we did and capitalised on an ageing deck with the new rock. They bowled quite well and we didn't nullify the new ball as well as we should have."
With a further 108 runs still required, Taylor recognises the run chase is not going to be an easy proposition. He is confident, however, that if his batsmen dig in and the rain stays away, they will be able to come away with a confidence-boosting victory.
"I don't necessarily think it's going to be an easy day, I think it will definitely take a lot of grit. It will be good, hard cricket and hopefully everyone digs in and shows value in their wicket."
Saturday's other matches will see Oak Flats attempt to capitalise on a dominant opening day against Kookas. The Rats will resume at 3-80, chasing Kookas' 150.
Finally, The Rail are within touching distance of their first win of the season. After scoring 161, The Rail have reduced Kiama/Gerringong to 8-122.
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