Keira progress as Cricket Illawarra Twenty20 semi-finalists decided

The Lions were far too good, a dominant batting performance laying the platform for victory.

The win hands Keira first in Pool B, while Port Kembla missed the finals after falling to third in the group. The finish will be particularly tough for the Blacks to take, given they are level on points with second-placed Dapto, but behind on net run rate.

With his side needing a victory to secure a finals berth, Lions captain Kyle Connor said his players turned up focused on producing an excellent performance.

"After having the tie with Dapto, it put us in a better position than losing, but it meant we still had to win against Port Kembla," Connor said. "It was good to perform under that sort of pressure.

"All the boys played well, the batters set it up with a good total, made it a tough chase for them. I'm pretty pleased to win in that sort of must-win game."

After losing the toss and being sent into bat, the Lions were outstanding through the first 20 overs.

Opener Troy Coleman set the platform, with an impressive 47 before middle-order batsmen Tane Nunn (52*) and Neel Honavar (27*) finished with a flourish to lead Keira to 5-169.

Defending a relatively large total, the Lions bowlers struck early, with teenager Hugo Ikeda claiming 3-17 off his four overs.

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Honavar also chipped in with the ball, finishing with figures of 3-18.

With Port Kembla losing regular wickets, Connor said his bowlers were able to stay a step ahead in the defence.

"It was a bit of an advantage playing at Keira. As the year's progressed, we've got used to the conditions and the flat wicket.

"When it came to bowling, we've built better plans with that experience playing at Keira, that helped out a bit.

"Hugo started off well with the ball, he's been really good for us since the start of the year, taking regular wickets.

"I said before we went out there if we could take early wickets, we'll put them behind the eight ball. Hugo started well and then Troy also took an early wicket.

"Their batsmen had to create shots, so if we could stick to our plans, which we did, it made it hard for them."

Keira's victory came on a busy day of Twenty20 play, with the Illawarra finals berths officially settled.

Wests saw their chances of finishing in the top-two of Pool B evaporate, the Devils falling to Wollongong at North Dalton Park.

While a victory would have seen Wests progress to the semi-finals, the Lighthouse Keepers were too good in the seven-wicket win.

Chasing the Devils' 7-142, Wollongong captain Duncan Maddinson produced an attacking 73* off just 54 balls to lead his side to victory in the final over.

Northern Districts wrapped up first in Pool A with commanding nine-wicket win over Corrimal. Uni finished in second after they fell to Dapto.

Finally, Balgownie defeated Helensburgh.

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