One more round for fearsome cricket rivals

OAK FLats and Lake Illawarra will continue their fearsome South Coast cricket rivalry in this weekend's grand final.

The Geoff Shaw Oval clash is the final chapter in what has been an enthralling rivalry this season - the Rats defeated Lake Illawarra in the SCG Cup, the Lakers countered with a win in the South Coast one-day decider, the Rats claimed the regular one-day match and the Lakers won the season's two-day match. Throw in the Rats' victory in the inaugural South Coast Twenty20 final and it is a rivalry worth relishing.

To add spice to the encounter, the Rats, as minor premiers, had the choice of ground for the grand final and chose their home turf, Geoff Shaw Oval, as they did in the weekend's semi-final win over Albion Park.

The Lakers, who finished second on the table, were denied their first choice of Howard Fowles Oval for their semi-final against Kiama and instead played at Keith Grey Oval.

Rats' skipper Kerry Penfold is ecstatic that his club will field a side in all five finals to be played this weekend.

"We're playing well at the right time of year," Penfold said.

"The last month or so we have been playing well, ever since we took first place in the competition.

"Everyone has been doing the business and has been outstanding."

The Rats were in trouble against Albion Park, before a club record tenth-wicket stand between Ryan Chatterton and Phil Dellorfice salvaged their dig. "The Park played well, they didn't finish us off," Penfold said.

"We took our chances and bowled good lines."

Penfold nominated Mark Ulcigrai and spin twins Tony Panecasio and Craig Acton as potential game-breakers for the Lakers and praised his rivals' top order.

"They have good depth, this is a clash of the two most consistent teams all season," he said.

The Lakers are coming off a solid win over Kiama that demonstrated their ability to perform in the semi-final pressure cooker, skipper Tony McCabe said.

"We batted first and it was pretty hard going but we recovered well and bowled really well," McCabe said.

"Kiama and Oak Flats are completely different sides, I am really happy with our batting " we toughed it out."

McCabe is quietly confident that his side can spring a repeat of the 2005-06 semi-final where the Lakers upset the Rats.

"It's clearly the best two sides of the season, there's been nothing between us all year," he said.

"We know we can beat them " whoever plays best on the day will get the job done.

"We bat all the way down the list, they are in the same boat.

McCabe nominated veteran quick Darren O'Connell as a key for the Rats.

"We pride ourselves on playing as a team, can chase runs down," he said.

The Illawarra Credit Union South Coast Cricket grand final will be played at Geoff Shaw Oval, Oak Flats, on Saturday and Sunday. Plays starts at 11am both days.