ULLADULLA'S Matthew Gilkes and his NSW Blues sealed victory over South Australia by 133 runs in the final session of the round eight Sheffield Shield fixture at Bankstown Oval on Thursday.
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Needing six wickets in the final session, with South Australia having only lost three throughout day four, the Blues dismissed South Australia for 269 mid-way through the third session.
The Blues remain at the top of the Sheffield Shield table with the win (373 and 2/235 declared to 207 and 269).
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Seamer Trent Copeland claimed three wickets in the final session, including two in one over, to finish the match with 9/123.
He returned 5/63 in the first innings.
His first innings five-wicket haul included his 300th first class and Sheffield Shield wicket for NSW.
Daniel Hughes was the other stand out performer for the Blues during the four days in Sydney's South West.
The left-handed opener made a century in each innings for the first time in his first class career with 103 in the first innings followed by 136 in the second.
His 136 in the second innings was his highest First Class score surpassing the 134 he made against South Australia at the SCG last season.
This match also proved to be a milestone one for Ulladulla High School alumnus Gilkes, scoring 83 and then 11 not out.
South Australia began Thursday at 1/40, but quickly fell to 3/46 when Nathan Lyon (3/85) struck twice within five overs, including opener Jake Weatherald (20) with his first ball of the day.
Weatherald was Lyon's 100th Sheffield Shield wicket for NSW.
However, two partnerships both featuring Callum Ferguson (82), took South Australia to Tea at 4/231 and an outside chance of victory.
Ferguson shared a 95-run stand for the fourth wicket with South Australian captain Travis Head, 57 from 67 balls, then a 103-run partnership with Tom Cooper (62).
Fast bowler Liam Hatcher (3-52) claimed the vital wickets of Ferguson and Cooper just after Tea.
South Australia lost its last six wickets for 25.
