After sending The Rail into bat, Mitch Watterson and Brett Geribo proceeded to pepper The Rail’s batsmen with over after over of tight, consistent bowling. The pressure proved too much for the Railers, with Watterson taking four wickets and Geribo three as The Rail were bowled out for 168. 

Watterson’s day was not over, however, as he returned with the bat to hit an unbeaten 63 and steer the side to 2-140 at stumps. 

Shellharbour could move to third with outright victory.

“The side played well as a unit,” captain Ned Taylor said. “Considering the weather we had mid-week, we were able to get a pretty good deck. We bowled well, applied a lot of pressure and it was pleasing to bowl them out just after tea. 

“It meant we had an extended period before stumps which put us in a good position to push for an outright victory next week.”

Elsewhere, Kiama/Gerringong secured first-innings points in their clash with Oak Flats. After bowling the Rats out for 72, Kiama/Gerringong declared at 9-151, before reducing Oak Flats to 2-14 at stumps. 

Lake Illawarra are 1-16 after bowling Kookas out for 174.