The Kiama Cavettes kept their season alive with a dominating win over Albion Park on home soil, chasing down their target in just nine overs.

Kiama have been locked in points with Lake Illawarra over the past few weeks, making every match a must-win with only two rounds remaining.

The Cavettes chose to bowl first at Bonaira Oval, and Kiama Cricket Club president Bernie Brown says they started strongly.

“The Kiama side began well, with Emma Ford breaking through midway in the 3rd over with a caught-and-bowled,” Brown said.

“Annette Thornton then came on in the 6th over and took a wicket with her very first ball, expertly caught by Naomi Poole, who snared her maiden catch in four seasons of cricket.

"It was a tremendous moment, and the Cavettes converged for an excitable, extended celebration. Albion Park slowed to 2/24.”

Albion Park finished with a respectable 73-run total from 19.3 overs. Thornton finished with 3-14 from 3.3 overs, while Ford and Carolyn Perry each took two wickets.

The Cavettes' Naomi Poole who got her first official catch. Photo: Kiama Cricket Club

Kiama then went out to bat with their very successful opening pairing of Ava Sloan and Ebony Winston, and the rest was history.

“It was a classy and complete chase by the Cavettes, with Winston 40* (31) and Sloan 14* (16) carrying their bats and knocking over the total in just nine overs,” Brown said.

This Friday, Kiama will face Lake Illawarra in the match of the round at Bonaira Oval, with both teams locked on 24 points in 4th and 5th place, respectively.

“Kiama will be eyeing a second finals berth for the first time in three years, although they will need to bring their A-game against a Lake side in red-hot form,” Brown said.

“The Cavettes boast some of the best stats in the competition this season, including leading in wickets lost - having only lost 17 wickets from 12 games, which is an amazing statistic.”

Kiama had mixed results across the other grades.

First Grade continued their winning streak and is almost guaranteed a spot in the finals. 

Batting first at home against Albion Park, Kiama lost both openers early but recovered thanks to David Coleman (46), captain Jaya Hartgerink (37), and Ryan Butta (42), taking the total to 176.

Kiama’s bowlers struck early in the second innings, with Niall Owers taking three wickets and reducing Albion Park to 6-70. 

A bottom-order partnership lifted Albion Park to 7-110, but Brad Ison’s second wicket of the day broke the stand, allowing David Coleman to take the final three wickets and end the game. Albion Park finished 146 all out from 46.3 overs.

Third Grade also recorded a win over Albion Park on the road, keeping their slight finals hopes alive. 

Kiama batted first, with Robert Miller (31) and captain Daniel Reilly (25*) helping set a total of 112. 

Their bowlers then dismantled Albion Park, taking all ten wickets in 35 overs, with Lennox Holz taking four, leaving Albion Park just nine runs short of the target.

Second Grade and Fourth Grade weren’t as fortunate. Second Grade bowled first and faced Albion Park’s total of 167. 

Jacob Lee took four wickets and Jacob Lewis three, but despite Nathan Battishal’s heroic 62-run effort, Kiama fell short, all out for 138. They remain third on the ladder.

In Fourth Grade, Kiama were bowled out for 90, and Oak Flats chased down the target in 21.1 overs. Kiama sit third, with finals hopes still alive.

This Saturday, First Grade will face Shellharbour (away), Second Grade has the bye, Third Grade will take on Jamberoo (away) and so will Fourth Grade (home).