Surprise Oak Flats Rat in ranks

THE SURPRISE inclusion of former NSW and WA player Steve Nikitaras for Oak Flats provided the highlight of Saturday’s South Coast cricket action.

Nikitaras, a former Port Kembla skipper, made his first appearance for the Rats on day one of their two-day clash with Albion Park at Keith Grey Oval.

The former NSW Blue had a modest impact in his South Coast debut, scoring 14 as the Rats were dismissed for 203 just before stumps.

Rats skipper Kerry Penfold maintained his recent good form with 56 while Darren O’Connell chipped in with 35.

Spinner Adam Sharp (3/41) and Graeme Smith (3/47) shared the honours for the Eagles attack, while Jess Hancock bagged 2/27.

Meanwhile, Warilla Sports will resume on Saturday needing 122 runs with nine wickets in hand for first innings points against The Rail at Croome Road Sporting Complex.

Batting first, the hosts posted a modest 131, underscored by a fighting 44 from Daniel Stevenson.

Gerard Healey led the Kookas’ attack with 4/13 while Craig Bramble snared 2/19.

Warilla reached 1/9 at stumps on day one, with Nathan Docker (4) and Nic Maddinson (5) to resume on Saturday. Andrew Warren claimed the only Warilla wicket to fall before stumps.

Meanwhile, Kiama are in trouble heading into day two of their clash with Lake Illawarra at Howard Fowles Oval. The Cavs will resume their first innings 232 runs adrift of first innings points.

Matt Unicomb (11) and John Simon (3) are the not out batsmen after the Cavs slumped to 3/19 at stumps on day one. Lake’s Jamie Crowhurst (2/5) and Brendan White (1/9) made early inroads for the Lakers late on day one.

Earlier, Lakers openers Tony McCabe (65) and Mark Ulcigrai (67) put on 132 runs for the first wicket before White hammered 66 as the Lakers reached an imposing 8/251 (dec.). Jason Wills (3/29) and Dan Reilly (2/28) toiled hard for the Cavs.

At Tom Willoughby Oval, day one of the Shellharbour-Jamberoo was washed out.

Meanwhile, the run of bad luck continued in Illawarra cricket, with only one first grade starting on the weekend.

Dapto travelled to Hollymount Park East to face Northern Districts and scored a big win.

Norths batted first but could only post 47. Their batting effort was ruined by the combined efforts of Nathan Dufty (6/9) and Greg Wray (4/18). Dapto lost five wickets reaching their target.

Illawarra has also named its teams for the Bradman Cup (under 16s) and Hickson-Gilmore Shield (under 19s) competitions.

Bradman Cup: Jarrad Anderson (Balgownie), Blake Brown (Balgownie), Reece Cullen (Corrimal), Adam Dekleva (Wests), Brock Gilmore (Helensburgh), Nathan Iskra (Wests), Jarryd King (Wests), Andrew Lam (Balgownie), Mitchell McCrae (Helensburgh), Nathan Nikolich (Balgownie), Callum Nolan (Wests), Tuan Stanham (Keira), Ben Toussis (Balgownie). Hickson-Gilmore Shield: Amit Balgi (Wollongong), Joel Brockley (Balgownie), Peter Broyd (Keira), Anthony Butler (Keira), Shannon Crewdson (Wests), Hayden Daley (Balgownie), Hugh Fullagher (Norths), Blake Lewis (Corrimal), Jonathon McCreary (Balgownie), Ryan Mullaly (Helensburgh), Tuan Stanham (Keira), York Stanham (Keira), Scott Sharman (Dapto).