Harbour Advance in Twenty20

SHELLHARBOUR City advanced to the second round of the combined Illawarra-South Coast Twenty20 competition with dominant display against Illawarra club Port Kembla. Bowling first, the Harbour built up sustained pressure against the Blacks with tight bowling and keen fielding throughout the entire twenty overs.

While Shellharbours bowlers all performed well, the highlight of the innings was undoubtedly a remarkable run-out courtesy of naughty Ned Taylor. Taylors direct hit from the square boundary created a major stumbling block for Port as they scrambled to a score of 72. In reply, Shellharbours batsmen showed a great deal of composure and, in the end, cruised to victory with seven wickets in hand. Opener, Rob Monaghan, and number five, John Puckeridge, were the heroes with the bat for Shellharbour, taking the side to victory in just the 14th over. While Shellharbours

Twenty20 form was superb, Saturdays one and two-day fixtures brought mixed results.

Shellharbour first grade suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Kiama at Cavalier Park. Kiama won the toss and compiled a very healthy 269 from their fifty overs. In reply, Shellharbour could only manage 128. Nick Formosa was Shellharbours best with bat, continuing his rise this season with a well made 38. In second grade the news wasnt any better, with Shellharbour ending day-one of their clash with Jamberoo in a tough position. Jamberoo piled on 213 for their first innings. The only highlight for Shellharbour was a magnificent five wicket haul to spinner Jason Silveri. In reply, the Harbour ended day-one in trouble at 5 for 62.

The news was remarkably brighter in third grade with Shellharbour completing a rare outright victory in just one day. Kevin Murphy, Ben Mitchell and Todd Cordes all scored half centuries in Shellharbours total of 3 declared for 204. That total proved to be more than enough as Jamberoo were dismissed for 56 and 72. Andrew Peters took home the outstanding figures of 6 for 18 for Shellharbour in the first innings, while Mitch Formosa was the Harbours best in the second innings, taking 4 wickets.

In fourth grade Shellharbour walked away with 5 wicket victory over Lake Illawarra in their one-day clash. The Harbour fielded first and bowled well with Trevor Dellatore taking 3 wickets. Chasing Lakes total of 136, Scott Partridges 42, plus unbeaten knocks of 32 from Paul Atkins and 28 from Trevor Dellatore, saw the Harbour comfortably home.

Fifth grade action saw Shellharbour Blue dominate ladder leaders The Rail Red in their one-day clash on Saturday. Shellharbour Blue dismissed The Razorbacks for just 116 with Barry Coleman taking 4 wickets. The total proved a minor obstacle for the Harbour as they took home victory by nine wickets. Highlights for Shellharbour were an unbeaten half-century to Todd Biracoski and an unbeaten 30 from Garry Crawford. In the other fifth grade clash, Shellharbour White suffered a heavy loss to Oak Flats Vets. Chasing the Vets total of 325, the Whites fell well short being bowled out for 173. Jonathon Kelly was impressive for the Harbour, making 56. He was well supported by Julian Shaw and Colin Couchman who each made 28.