It was a week of losses against competition leaders for the Kiama Cavaliers Cricket Club - with the only victories coming from teams not facing ladder-topping opponents.

The round began with an excruciatingly close match on Friday between the Kiama Cavettes and the undefeated Kookas at Bonaira.

The Cavettes put themselves in a strong position early.

“They held the competition leaders to only 147 from the allotted 20 overs, which was a fantastic effort with the ball and in the field.

"Then they went out chasing in fine style with the two openers both retiring not out,” said Kiama Cricket Club president Bernie Brown.

Despite Ebony Winston’s 55 not out and Ava Sloan’s 35 not out, both forced to retire after facing their allotted 40 deliveries, Kiama’s run rate slowed and they fell just six runs short of the target.

“The Cavettes worked really hard. However, they just couldn't reel in the last six or seven runs. It was an amazing effort by the girls,” Brown said.

“We've now completed a full round and will start again, pushing through to the finals in the new year. They did really well.”

First grade faced top-of-the-table Lake Illawarra and batted first at the Kiama Sporting Complex, but never managed to build momentum.

“They struggled to get the innings going, with the accurate bowling from Lake Illawarra proving difficult to get away,” said Brown.

“In reply, Lake Illawarra cruised to victory only two down, with Kerrod White unbeaten on 98.

"You’ve got to give credit where it’s due - White took four wickets and scored 98 not out. He had a day out. He’s a class player and always a danger for the Cavs.”

Third grade also took on their competition leaders, the undefeated Oak Flats Rats, away from home.

The Cavaliers posted 187 from their 40 overs, with captain Nathan Battishall top-scoring with 55.

“The Cavs took the field with their tails up and got stuck into the Rats, but it took a while to break a dominant opening partnership. Once they took the first wicket, they applied pressure, but their total ultimately proved 30 to 50 runs short, with the home side passing the score six down,” Brown said.

There was brighter news for second grade, who claimed a dominant win over Shellharbour away.

“The Cavs piled on 251, with new club recruit Sheldon Hall scoring 60 to top the tally. The Cavs then bowled brilliantly from ball one, restricting the home side to just 179,” Brown said.

Hall also contributed with the ball, taking four wickets.

Fourth grade secured another strong win, this time against Albion Park, lifting them to second on the ladder.

Adam McCrone led the way with 68 not out from only 32 deliveries, asserting his dominance on the competition.

“But it was the performances from the young players who stood up again for the Cavaliers - led by Oliver Wilson with 34 not out off 56, including four fours, and youngsters Nash Rendell and Harry McCrone reaching double figures," Brown added.

The Cavaliers set 206 for victory and were excellent with the ball in reply, restricting Albion Park to 115.

“The ever-elderly Giles Brown took 4-19, and Adam McCrone completed an excellent day out with 3-19.”

This week, the Cavettes will play Shellharbour at Bonaira on Friday, while the T20 season begins with first grade taking on the Kookas away from home.

On Saturday, first grade will face Bay and Basin and fourth grade will meet the Kookas away. Third grade will play Albion Park at home, and in a double-header, second grade will host Jamberoo before travelling to Oak Flats for their first T20 match of 2025.