ONE-HUNDRED and eighty one runs is a score big enough to win most one-day cricket matches, let alone a Twenty20.
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However, when Bega-Angledale posted the strong figure on Saturday it wasn’t enough to catch the impressive total of 204 runs set by Eden.
The Far South Coast Cricket Association Twenty20 final was the highlight spectacle for a number of cricket goers at Lords View Oval, Kameruka.
Eden won the toss and elected to bat first.
Openers Andrew Evelyn and Drew Mudaliar were not taking the game lightly and punished early bowlers.
The opening partnership rounded 40 runs within just three overs, and had soared to 100 by the eighth.
Anything short was driven long for a four and a handful screamed clear of the boundary as the duo set a blistering 15-runs-per-over tempo.
Mudaliar, particularly, was key at deflecting difficult shots through gaps in the field for large runs when big shots were impossible.
Evelyn favoured a heavy-handed approach, with plenty of high-flying balls bounding off the fence.
Surprisingly it wasn’t a catch, but a sprint that caused Evelyn’s downfall as he got over-ambitious for a double.
A strong arm from Hodder got the ball back in to play and Evelyn was run out, with Eden already on 100 runs.
Mark Spink was only in for five runs after a lob-shot fell short of the fence and he was caught out.
Shortly after Mudaliar was dismissed, but the Eden batsman had scored 61 runs.
Corey Spink and Martin Butchers took their place at the crease and continued the ferocious run rate of 10-per-over.
The duo didn’t last like Mudaliar, but claiming quick runs it looked more and more likely that Eden would break through the 200-run barrier.
The pair were both done in by catches from wicketkeeper Robbie Ringland, slowing Eden’s hopes.
However, at scoring singles to 198 at the last over Eden sent in Tyrone Thomas.
With just four balls to come Thomas swung voraciously at each delivery.
It came to the final ball, finally Thomas connected with the bat and Eden finished on 204 as the shot cleared the fence.
The reply from the Bulls was slow at the start in comparison, but still rounded a near 10-runs-per-over rate.
Sneaky fours were the order of the day as openers Brad Moon and Ringland took on the formidable pace-bowling of the Eden quicks.
However, just two overs in with the score on 22, Moon was caught for just six.
However, Hodder joined Ringland at the crease and the rate lifted to match Eden’s blistering score.
The duo combined in a 100-run partnership, with Ringland caught on 57, while Hodder had scored 31.
Glenn Wilcox proved a force to be reckoned with in the middle order, compiling 31 runs not out.
His calm and stoic nature helped guide batting partners as the Bulls’ wickets slowly fell.
Tom Pearce scored 22, while Alec Watson added 16 to the total.
However, the pace had fallen short and the overs ticked away, with the Bulls finishing on 181.
There is now a short break in the cricket season, with A grade returning for two-day play in January.
The first match is scheduled for January 10, where the Bulls will take on South Eurobodalla, while the Tathra Sea Eagles face Pambula.