The Greater Illawarra Zone Inter-Association Championships commenced on Sunday, with the opening round of the under 16 and under 18 boys competitions taking place.
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It was a successful day for the Illawarra teams, both sides defeating Highlands, while the South Coast and Shoalhaven squads split their matches.
The South Coast under 16s collected a win, with the Shoalhaven under 18s prevailing in their Greater Illawarra Zone Cup match.
A quality team bowling effort laid the platform for the Illawarra under 16s, with the boys bowling Highlands out for 109. Rhys Cattle and Thomas Williams each took two wickets.
The pair then led the team to victory with the bat, an unbeaten 66-run partnership helping the side claim a seven-wicket win.
The Illawarra under 18s had a tougher time on the road, the side claiming a three-wicket victory.
The boys bowled Highlands out for 115, however they struggled in the run chase. Ultimately they reached their target in the 35th over, having lost seven wickets along the way.
Batting first, the South Coast under 16s set an imposing total of 9-234 off their 50 overs in their clash with Shoalhaven at Tom (Scout) Willoughby Oval.
The bowlers then successfully defended the target, with Shoalhaven only able to make 9-180 off their allotted overs.
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The roles were reversed in the under 18s clash between the two sides, with Shoalhaven reaching 231 off 50 overs in the first innings.
South Coast struggled in response, the team bowled out for 124 in the 37th over.
The girls also took to the field on Sunday, with Greater Illawarra Zone hosting Bankstown in their Margaret Peden Shield clash Berry.
Batting first, Bankstown made their way to 271 off 47 overs, with Hilary Swan, Taleha Urszulak and Annalee Watson each taking two wickets for Greater Illawarra.
The girls came close to gaining the ascendancy midway through the innings, taking 4-7 at one point to reduce Bankstown to 7-168.
Mikayla Kolbe fought back, however, and scored an unbeaten 56 to lead her side to an imposing total.
Greater Illawarra struggled early in the run chase, with wickets falling at regular intervals.
Ultimately the girls were bowled out for 166, 106 runs short of their target.
Aaliyah Humphreys top scored with 28, while India Bellhouse contributed 27 runs.
The Greater Illawarra Zone side will look to bounce back on Sunday when they take on Parramatta.
Parramatta have been dominant thus far this season, winning all three of their matches.
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Cameron Mee
Sports reporter at the Canberra Times
Sports reporter at the Canberra Times
