Bomaderry played the role of party poopers when they denied Oak Flats victory in their return to the South Coast first-grade competition in a two-run thriller at Geoff Shaw Oval.

It was a round where games finished in nail-biters or massive victories with Shellharbour just scraping home by two wickets against North Nowra in another match that went right down to the wire.

Premiers Lake Illawarra trounced Albion Park, Kiama did likewise to Ex-Servos while Bay and Basin Dolphins cruised to a five-wicket win over Kookas.

The Rats looked like they would be celebrating their return to the top grade in style on their home turf after they bowled Bomaderry out for 150.

Bomaderry captain Kealen Blattner got his team’s innings off to a blistering start from the top of the order with 44 from just 25 deliveries but opposing skipper Jack Bennett (4-22) and all-rounder Scott McAndrew (3-27) turned the tide.

Oak Flats were on target at 4-119 but after McAndrew was stumped for 49, they collapsed to lose 6-29 to fall just three runs short.

North Nowra skipper Nathan Thomas (73) and opener Nick McDonald (61) formed the backbone of their total of 241 at Bernie Regan Sports Ground

Shellharbour were sailing along with Oran Pattison making 70 but after a middle-order collapse, they were looking shaky but skipper Alex Brown’s unbeaten 108 got them home with just one more batter in the shed.

Lake belted 313 against Albion Park with captain Kerrod White top-scoring on 87 and tailenders Jaiden Robinson (49) and Jarryd White (50) going on with the job despite 5-59 from Matthew Burns.

The Park lost their first four wickets cheaply and were never in the hunt despite fighting knocks by Aiden Campion (30) and Will Schofield (28).

At Oakleigh Park, the Kookas batted out the 50 overs to put 8-188 on the board thanks to Michael Perry’s 59 and veteran opener Craig Bramble’s paitent 41.

Dolphins seamer Brock Balgowan led the way with 4-24 in attack and in reply, the visitors rarely looked troubled as they hauled in the runs with 14 overs to spare after Riley Haig’s unbeaten 51 followed opener Daniel Hylton-Cummins’ 44.

Kiama kicked off their season with a bang by thrashing Ex Servos 301-81 with Adam Ison (86) and David Coleman (60) the stars with the bat and Ison’s brother, Brad, among the wickets with 5-35.