Tathra’s A grade side after winning the Twenty20 final, (back, from left) Bailey Blacka, Chris Dwyer, Adam Blacka, Rhys Cunningham, Geordie Gibbs, Dan Blacka, Chris O'Brien, Ross Jones (12th man), (front) Caleb Blacka, Ben O'Reilly, captain Pete Bennett, Michael Edmunds, Matt O'Reilly and Rob Stevenson.
TATHRA was awarded the first premiership trophy of the 2012/13 Far South Coast Cricket Association competition after defeating Eden in the inaugural Twenty20 final at Merimbula’s Berrambool Oval on Saturday.
Chasing Eden’s total of 128 runs, Maroons all-rounder Adam Blacka (64) produced the knock of the match to help guide his team to 130 with 1.3 overs to spare.
Eden batted first and looked in trouble early after losing opener Dylan Wheeler for two runs, and when captain Drew Mudaliar was caught by his counterpart Peter Bennett for nine, a battling collapse looked imminent.
However, fellow opener Mark Spink, who was the pick of the Eden batting order scoring 55, and Tim Bowes, 23, steadied the ship to increase the run-rate.
Eden bowler Luke Timms also played well with the willow to score 15.
In reply and with rain threatening, Tathra was keen to achieve a quick result to remain dry.
But the Maroons’ efforts to bash their way to victory quickly turned into a match of attrition.
Blacka had his eye in early, but when fellow opener Chris Dwyer (2), first drop Ben O’Reilly (3), Bennett (5) and all-rounder Rob Stevenson (2), all fell while on single figures, Eden was in with a chance.
However, Mick Edmunds stemmed the flow and played the perfect bridesmaid role to allow Blacka to get on with the job.
Edmunds scored 25 runs and despite Tathra losing two late wickets, it was enough to get the Maroons over the line.
Chris O’Brien was the pick of Tathra's attack taking 4-22, while Blacka 1-17 and Reece Cunningham 1-19 chimed in with one each. Tim Bowes was Eden’s best taking 2-18.
It was an Australia Day to remember for Tathra after also winning the B grade final against Merimbula.
Tathra sent Merimbula into bat first, with young opening bowler Lachie Gordon tearing through the top order.
The 14-year-old took 4-15 off four overs to leave Merimbula floundering at 5-34.
Despite the early pressure, Merimbula rallied with the pairing of Stephen Groch and Miles Petty combining for a well-earned 68-run partnership to help the Knights to 7-117.
The other wicket taker was Tim Harrison 2-19, while Ross Jones, Jack Hukins and Alan Mitchell all bowled economically.
Tathra’s chase started badly after losing Bobby Taylor for a duck with only one run on the board.
Mitchell followed up his bowling effort with rounded knock of 42 runs, hitting three 4s and two 6s to be the backbone of the innings.
Ross Jones (13), Tim Harrison (13), Justin Roscoe (19) and Shannon Shepardson (16no) all chipped-in to help steer the Maroons’ ship home with 2.4 overs remaining.
It wasn’t the best day for Merimbula after losing to Pambula in the C grade decider.