Just once in Regional Bash history has the Illawarra made the hallowed turf of the SCG, when they were knocked out in the semi-finals by Northern Inland in December 2015.

So the incentive and a new representative focus led by coach Dean Merola, has Hearn eyeing the dawn of an era of success.

"Absolutely, the desire to play rep cricket is growing," Hearn said.

"There's support from the top, the association has been really putting into creating and building that prestige about being part of it.

"You can see from the team, with a few of the Uni boys and the NDs (Northern Districts) boys, it's rewarding those who have performed in the Illawarra competition.

"Dean Merola has done a great job, so hopefully we put it out there and take our chance to play at the SCG."

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To make the final four, they face a trip to Bathurst, where the men's and women's teams will take on the Outlaws on neighbouring pitches at the same time.

Still, it's familiar territory for Hearn, who grew up in Mudgee and has played against most of the Orana team, which features Sydney first grade batsman Tim Armstrong.

Armstrong's feats include smashing 123 off 69 balls for Eastern Suburbs in the Sydney Twenty20 competition last year.

"Yeah, I've played with and against most of them, they're a very strong team," Hearn said.

"Tim Armstrong has obviously played at the top of Sydney grade cricket, they're batting is certainly a strength and we'll have to be smart about how we go about it."

Hearn's confidence comes with a warning, after Greater Illawarra's missed chances at the 50-over one-day Country Championships at Goulburn last week.

ACT were 7-107 chasing Greater Illawarra's total of 7-220, but still prevailed with three balls remaining.

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Illawarra kicked off the campaign with a similarly nailbiting three-wicket win over Western on the opening day, but then collapsed against Riverina, who were unbeaten for the carnival.

"We just weren't clutch in the key moments," Hearn said. "And it certainly wasn't through any lack of desire to win, but you have to take your chances and that's certainly also the case in the Regional Bash.

"I can tell you from speaking to some of the players this week, there's no shortage of motivation."

With Hearn, pace-bowling spearhead Rhys Voysey, and batsmen Amit Balgi and James Chappell in the Flames squad, the Twenty20 champion University trio will also be hoping to keep them in the Illawarra top four, when they take on Wests on Saturday.

Uni went down to fellow finals contenders Wollongong last weekend, but were missing Hearn and Voysey, who were part of the Greater Illawarra team.

"We're a pretty experienced group now, hopefully we'll bounce back quickly," he said.

Round 2

Sunday, 1pm at Bathurst

ORANA OUTLAWS v ILLAWARRA FLAMES

Round 5

Saturday, 11.30am

NORTHERN DISTRICTS v HELENSBURGH at Hollymount Oval

KEIRA v WOLLONGONG at Keira Oval

UNIVERSITY v WESTS at University Oval

DAPTO v CORRIMAL at Reed Park

PORT KEMBLA v BALGOWNIE at King George Oval