Berry-Shoalhaven Heads won the toss and batted first, hoping to post a score big enough to cause some concern among the strong Batemans Bay batting line-up.

The start of the match was delayed by rain and, when play got under way, the Berry openers Dobson and Cain put on a solid 40-run partnership.

However, the scoring rate was slow against the Bay's father-son opening bowling combination of Andrew and Lachie Malcolm.

It took a run-out to get the initial breakthrough and after that - while scoring remained difficult - the Berry batsmen dug in, with most getting a start. Despite that the wickets fell regularly.

The early rain left the outfield wet and the ball was hard to control for both the bowlers and the fieldsman. It was replaced during the innings.

All the Bay bowlers were difficult to score off but it was the evergreen opener Andrew Malcolm who took the honours with fivr well deserved wickets.

Other wickets were taken by Lachie Malclom, Paul Cullen, Pat Griffin and Dave West. Berry had reached stumps on day one at 6 for 100 and the slow going resumed on day two as they moved to be all out for 141 from 88 overs.

The Bay were in early trouble, losing opener James Cashin with only 4 runs on the board.

But the rapidly improving James Dickinson and skipper Pat Griffin took control and ground out a century partnership, which was broken when Griffin fell for 64 and Dickinson for 30, both with the total on 115.

Berry sensed they were back in the match when they took two more wickets leaving the Bay at risk of a collapse with the total at 5-132.

But Tom Purcell and Lachie Malcolm saw off the threat and got the home side to victory without any further wickets with the Bay at 5 - 143.

With no possibility of a result other than a first innings victory to the Bay, Berry's captain conceded and Batemans Bay will now proceed to the grand final.

This will be the first grand final appearance by a Batemans Bay senior side in the Shoalhaven competition.

Captain Pat Griffin said after the match that he was cautiously confident of a win.

Batemans Bay will take on Nowra at Hanging Rock in a two-day match this Saturday and Sunday and will be looking for good backing from their home supporters in what will be a historic day for grade cricket in the region.