Dapto continue to power

Dapto has continued their domination of the Cricket Illawarra first grade competition after securing an outright win over second-placed Balgownie at Judy Masters Oval on Saturday.

Replying to Bally’s disappointing total of 143, the Canaries made short work of their reply, with Aaron Hickson and Stephen Davies both scoring half centuries as Dapto declared at 2-146 in an effort to force a major win.

Balgownie were again disappointing in their second knock and were bundled out for just 106, with off-spinner Kyle Connor (5-24) and leggie Greg Wray (3-48) again outstanding, while again Chris Sheppard was the only Bally batsman to show any form with 41.

Dapto cruised to their target of 107 with the loss of three wickets with Hickson (41) again batting well and Sheppard making it a good double with all three wickets for 64.

Port Kembla’s semi-final hopes are still well and truly on track after Luke Hunter’s unbeaten 125 rescued them from an embarrassing position against Northern Districts at Hollymount Park.

Chasing the Butchers 149, the Blacks were 4-40 before Daniel Lee (51) joined forces with Hunter and they shared an unbeaten 165 run stand as their side declared at 4-205. Hunter’s innings included 11 fours and three sixes.

Norths slumped to 4-57 in their second innings at stumps.

Despite being in a strong position for an outright win at the start of play, University had to be happy with a first innings victory over Keira at University.

Keira captain Graeme Batty led the way with bat and ball, chipping in with 4-38 on day two to hold University’s first innings lead to just 59, then showed the way with the bat to score 61 at the top of Keira’s order as they tallied 182 in their second innings.

David Murphy (4-65) and Richard Sykes were again best of the students’ attack.

Chasing an unlikely victory, it was Uni who finished up in trouble and were struggling at 7-93 at stumps, with Batty again in top form with 3-48.

Wests Illawarra’s poor two-day competition form continued when they were comfortably beaten by third placed Wollongong at Figtree Oval.

Trying to match Wollongong’s 227, Wests battled hard all day and were eventually dismissed for 196, with Luke Compagni (31), David Giorgio (44), Matt McKensie (42) and Callum Nolan (37) all batting solidly, but in the end it was the consistent bowling of Shane Fanning (4-50) and Steve Blissenden (3-29) that told the difference.

The match between Corrimal and Helensburgh turned into a thriller at Helensburgh.

Chasing Corrimal’s 154, Christian Lewis (52) led the Burgh’s reply and when the last wicket pair of Phil Browning (11) and Tim Lloyd (7) came to the wicket they still needed 12 runs and they held firm to claim a one wicket win.

Competition points: Dapto 57, Balgownie 44, Wollongong 40, Keira 37, Port Kembla 36, Helensburgh 31, Corrimal 28, Uni 28, Wests 24, Norths 15.