In two epic first round clashes it was the Bega/Angledale and Tathra bowlers leading the way with Jack Allen picking up four wickets against Merimbula, while Tathra’s Lachlan Gordon bowled six wickets against South Eurobodalla (SE). 

Junior cricketer Jack, 12, tore through Merimbula’s batting line-up swiftly on Saturday taking four wickets including a hat-trick. 

It may have proved the diffference for Bega/Angledale who fielded first on the day. 

Brad Moon also took three wickets and Alec Watson claimed two.

With the target 103, the Bulls quickly set about running down the Merimbula total, but  a shaky start saw the effort culminate in the dying stages of the match. 

Sam Hodder added 12 to the total, while Moon scored 14. 

As the Bega batsmen wound down to the lower order the final over loomed with Bega needing seven runs off just five balls. 

However, it was a heroic six by Watson with only three balls to come that saw Bega cross the 103 run chase to secure a win over Merimbula. 

Meanwhile, Tathra made quick work of SE after a dominant display of bowling.

Tathra players took to the crease first and said they had been “posting lots of runs, but losing lots of wickets”.

Rob Stevenson was Tathra’s top batsman scoring 31, while O’Reilly scored 22. 

With Tathra all-out for 115 it was up to SE to chase down the runs, but things swiftly turned sour for the visiting team. 

Gordon was left-arm-swinging his way through SE’s  batting order on the day.

Six ducks and the top seven batsmen out for just three runs saw SE reeling in the first 30 minutes of the second innings. 

The performance saw Gordon presented the game ball for his efforts by captain Ben O’Reilly.

Leon Blacker also shone in the bowling taking three wickets. 

The second round saw Tathra take on the Bulls on George Griffin Oval, where a tremendous batting effort from Adam Blacka was enough for Tathra to secure a win on the day. 

Blacka scored 111 runs not-out for the Maroons. 

With Shannon Shepherdson’s 12 and Tim Harrison’s 19 adding to the total, Tathra scored a very solid 174 runs from its 20 overs. 

The bowling honours were shared by the Bulls with Wayne Dunham, Jack, Watson, Sean Arratia and Cody Hazelgrove-Danvers all picking up a wicket each. 

Despite a high target to reach, the Bulls belted a valiant 159 at the crease with their 20 overs. 

Sam Hodder top-scored for the Bulls scoring 48 runs, while Kel Evans added 40 to the chase and Hazelgrove-Danvers scored 38.

Blacka and Gordon picked up two wickets each to ensure Tathra’s win.

Meanwhile, SE took a four-run win over Merimbula on the athletics field. 

Next week the Bulls will travel to Dalmeny against SE, while Tathra plays Pambula and then Merimbula.