The Canaries are desperate to crack the competition's top four and currently sit in sixth, five points behind fourth-placed Wollongong.

Two wins will likely be enough for Dapto to play finals cricket, however that will be no easy task. The Canaries take on University in the final two-day match of the season that commences on Saturday before a one-day clash with Wests.

With his team to play the sides sitting second and third on the ladder in successive games, Dapto captain Jye Phillips recognises it will be a challenging few weeks but he's confident his players will be up to the task.

"We haven't got out there in a while, so it will be good to get back out there," Phillips said. "We've been disappointed the rain has affected our finals chances, but that's cricket, we always knew it was possible.

"This game is a must-win, we have to win our last two to make the finals.

"Our season is in our hands though. It makes it nice and simple for us, if we win two, we make it through. We haven't been beaten by either of these teams this year so I'm pretty confident we can go through."

Saturday's play will mark the first Cricket Illawarra action since February 1, with rain causing a complete washout of round 13 before a ball was bowled.

For Dapto, that time off has allowed the side to regroup after a disappointing loss to Wollongong.

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Batting first, the Canaries were dismissed for 101, their hopes of winning fading almost immediately.

Phillips views that performance as an aberration and he's confident his side will turn in a much-improved effort on Saturday.

"Our bowling was pretty good against Wollongong, but our batting wasn't anywhere near good enough. We all gave away our wickets, it was pretty poor cricket. I do back our batting attack to bounce back though.

"Our focus this week will be the same as for any other team. Put runs on the board and then field as well as we can. Uni have a lot of players that like to keep the scoring ticking over, if we dry them up when we're bowling, it can lead to wickets."

The clash between Uni and Dapto is one of numerous crucial matches to commence on Saturday, with a number of teams to put their top-four hopes on the line.

Having fallen to Wests earlier this month, Keira's game against Wollongong is a must-win. The Lighthouse Keepers are unable to rest on their laurels, however, with Duncan Maddinson's side sitting in fourth and just two points clear of Helensburgh.

The Tigers will face a challenge of their own this weekend, Helensburgh hosting a desperate Balgownie at Rex Jackson Oval.

The defending premiers have struggled this season, however they enter the match on the back of a convincing win over University earlier this month.

Wests will play Corrimal while competition leaders Northern Districts take on Port Kembla.

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