South Coast Chase Cup
Illawarra Mercury
Tuesday November 27, 2001
South Coast are back in the running for the Burns Cup cricket final after scoring a crushing win over Monaro at Cooma.
The South Coast senior side racked up a massive 7-431 from their 60 overs and then held Monaro to 8-266 to win by a comfortable 165-run margin.
Lake Illawarra batsman Craig Acton top-scored with an unbeaten 118 while Oak Flats all-rounder Owen Babula also registered triple figures, making 101.
Shellharbour skipper Tony McCabe hit 12 runs off the final over of the match but finished one boundary short of a century.
Oak Flats opener Kerry Penfold (74) and Lake Illawarra's Shane Acton (26) also scored freely for South Coast.
All-rounder Brad Miller scored 118 in Monaro's innings but the home side never seriously threatened South Coast's huge target.
Craig Acton ensured man-of-the-match honours by taking 4-95 from 19 overs while Kiama fast bowler Josh Jones (2-47) also bowled well.
Shoalhaven lost to Goulburn on the weekend so South Coast can qualify for the final if they can return from Goulburn with a win this Sunday.
Far South Coast are assured of one berth in the final and if South Coast and Shoalhaven both win this weekend, then a countback will be needed to work out the other finalist.
Shoalhaven take on Far South Coast in their final-round game this Sunday.
Meantime, Southern Zone have announced a 13-man squad for the NSW Country Carnival, which will be held in Wollongong on December 7-9.
Bowral fast bowler Cameron Belshaw will captain the side with Berry all-rounder Brad Dudgeon the vice-captain.
Albion Park paceman Clint McKenzie and Warilla trio Shane Cody, Steve Milgate and Dave Lambert are the only South Coast representatives.
SOUTHERN ZONE: Cameron Belshaw (captain), Evan McCarthy (Bowral), Brad Dudgeon (vice-captain), John Dudgeon (Berry), Clint McKenzie (Albion Park), Shane Cody, David Lambert, Steve Milgate (Warilla), Nick Gallagher (Bomaderry), Kurt Miller (Goulburn), Michael Smart (Batehaven), Brock Siegert (Ulladulla), Trevor Thomason (Nowra Rugby), coach Matt Faint and manager Bob Milgate.
© 2001 Illawarra Mercury
