The Kiama Cavaliers first-grade side made a significant move in the tightly contested South Coast finals race with a strong win over the Ex Servos on the weekend.

Playing away from home at Worrigee, the Cavaliers were sent in to bat first and quickly slipped to 5-108 before Ryan Butta (56 off 59) and Brad Ison (74* off 79) steadied the innings.

“They put on a run-a-ball 108-run partnership, setting up a total that proved out of reach for the home team,” said Cavaliers president Bernie Brown.

“It was an excellent innings from Brad, who has shown grit and ability with the bat and is proving to be a genuine all-rounder. Butta was equally solid, raising his bat for his second 50 of the season.”

Kiama went on to post an imposing 9-227, with valuable contributions from Joe Burgess (31) and Dave Coleman (24).

With the ball, the Cavaliers made the perfect start, with Niall Owers dismissing Ex Servos opener Lukas Janes with the first ball of the innings.

From there, the home side never looked like threatening Kiama’s total and was eventually bowled out for 131 in 34 overs.

“Mick Norris was outstanding with the ball,” Brown said. “He took 4-24, Glenn Cleary 3-27 and Niall Owers 2-32.”

The win lifts Kiama into fourth on the ladder with five rounds remaining in the regular season. They face T20 finalists Oak Flats this Saturday at Cavalier Park.

It was a strong start to 2026 for Kiama’s lower grades, with third and fourth grade recording wins.

Third grade travelled to Shellharbour and bowled the hosts out for just 70, with Daniel Reilly, Bernie Brown, Nick Webster and Geoff McIntyre taking two wickets each.

With the bat, Bernie Brown and Brendon Czewlowski combined for 64 runs between them as Kiama reached 2-71 off 13.3 overs to secure the win. Third grade are sixth on the ladder.

Fourth grade hosted the Kookas in a T20 clash and posted a commanding 182, built on contributions from Adam McCrone (48), Brett Nortje (52*), Zach Gervaise (40) and Milo Brown (21).

The Kookas responded well but fell 26 runs short, leaving Kiama second on the ladder.

Second grade endured a tough outing, bowled out for 97 batting first. Jamberoo chased the total in 25.3 overs, despite a four-wicket haul from Kiama’s Joseph Timbs. Kiama remain third on the ladder behind Lake Illawarra and Gerringong with Jamberoo in fourth spot.

The Cavettes also went down at home in the women's competition, posting a competitive 93 thanks largely to Ava Sloan (37*), but Ex Servos chased the target in 15.3 overs.

Kiama sit one win outside the top four.

This weekend, first grade, third grade and the Cavettes all take on Oak Flats at home.