Belmont captain Marcus Hainsworth calls Jace Lawson “the heart”. Saturday, and the one before, were perfect examples of why. Lawson, answering a recent call to help out an inexperienced first grade side, took three of the last five wickets in a 21-run win over title aspirants University at Cahill Oval. AUSTRALIA v SRI LANKA: Khawaja finds form with eighth Test ton The left-arm seamer finished with figures of 4-57, capping off an impressive all-round display started by a top score of 54 just seven days earlier.  Most importantly, according to Hainsworth, Lawson’s performances with bat and ball were produced when Belmont needed them most. “He [Lawson] probably showed our side how to play first grade cricket,” Hainsworth said. “We’ve got a lot of younger, inexperienced guys and he just knows how to get the job done. You can see what it means for him to play first grade and what it means for him to play for Belmont.” Lawson, who went past 500 first XI wickets in 2016-2017, added to his career tally with the last ball of his first over on the weekend. Following a five-hour rain delay, play got underway at 4pm and he trapped University dangerman Nathan Hudson (56) in front. This triggered a collapse of 5-19 and the Students were all out for 123, having been 5-104 chasing Belmont’s 144.  Last week Lawson, batting at No.7, arrived at 5-18. Hainsworth said the “confidence” of ninth-placed Belmont had been boosted by three straight T20 Summer Bash wins last month. University now slip from second to equal third on the Newcastle District Cricket Association ladder.  Elsewhere, nightwatchman Brad Aldous (70) proved to be the mainstay for defending champions Wests against Cardiff-Boolaroo at Harker Oval. The Rosellas resumed at 3-25 in pursuit of the visitors’ 181, losing Edan Brichta (11), Joseph Price (1) and Aaron Wivell (6) in a quick succession to be 6-77. Opening bowler Aldous, who was at the crease late on day one, made the most of his time in the middle and all-but got his team to the required target.  Wests then declared at 7-216 before Cardiff finished 2-115 in their second dig.   Over at Townson Oval and Merewether (5-105) batted out a draw against Wallsend (7-334) on a rain-affected day. Tigers paceman Pat Magann claimed 4-35 for the visitors but the Lions safely negotiated the reduced 60 overs.   Kahibah Oval was called off around 3pm without a ball being bowled. Charlestown (1-115) collected first-innings points, having taken a nine-run lead into day two against Newcastle City (106). There was no action at Passmore Oval either with frontrunners Hamilton-Wickham (2-156) having already beaten Stockton and Northern Districts (62 & 49) by an innings and 45 runs on day one. LADDER: Hamwicks 60; Toronto 52; University, Charlestown 48; Wests 45; Merewether 43; Wallsend 35; Cardiff 32; Belmont 22; Stockton 20; Waratah 17; City 16.