Stung by a shock loss to Kookas, premiers Lake Illawarra welcome star all-rounder Kerrod White for this weekend's two-day match against Kiama.
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The all-conquering Lakers slipped from top spot on the ladder after falling in the final-round of one-dayers, meaning The Rail will now instead host the one-day final at Croome Oval on Sunday week.
But in the meantime, captain Mark Ulcigrai is intent on setting the tone for the two-day campaign, taking on Kiama who returned to first grade this season.
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"We were disappointed, our heads weren't right and we got out to some ordinary cricket shots," Ulcigrai said.
"But we only have ourselves to blame.
"That's next week's problem, the one-day final, right now we've just got to focus on adjusting our game to the longer format.
"We like to push the scoring in whatever game we're playing in, but we just have to be smart about it now we're back playing two-dayers."
Without bowler Jordan Matthews, Ulcigrai remained wary of Kiama.
"We know they've been competitive since coming back up, it's been good for the competition," he said.
SOUTH COAST
Round 8 (two-dayers)
Saturday and Sunday (12.30pm)
KIAMA v LAKE ILLAWARRA at Cavalier Oval
SHELLHARBOUR v THE RAIL at Tom Willoughby Oval
OAK FLATS v ALBION PARK at Geoff Shaw Oval
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Tim Barrow
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
