Tathra will reign supreme atop the Far South Coast Cricket Association ladder, for now at least, after toppling Merimbula on Saturday.
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The Sea Eagles and the Knights had sat dead level on points for the last couple of rounds, but it all came to a head with the club’s meeting on the pitch at Tathra’s Lawrence Park.
The favourable result for the Sea Eagles came on the back of a consistent bowling attack, but particularly the singular batting display of Kel Evans, who knocked 105 runs.
The hosts took the field first and it was the regulars for the Merimbula roster doing some damage on the scoreboard.
Brendan Daley opened with a solid result of 31 runs, while his fellow opener was dismissed for a single off a Geordie Gibbs catch.
Coming in at three, Dylan Jordan set about his usual antics with some long range drives getting the runs ticking over for the visitors.
Jordan was building to a century on 82 runs when he was finally dismissed by a Ben O’Reilly catch off the bowling of paceman Dan Blacka.
The rest of the Merimbula line-up provided little resistance to the Tathra Sea Eagles bowling attack with a series of single-run wickets marring a strong early effort.
Ash Postance tried valiantly to save the day with 23 runs, but was clean bowled by Rhys Cunningham as the visitors went all-out for 185.
Cunningham took line honours with the ball, securing three wickets for the Sea Eagles, while Dan Blacka and Pete Bennett both claimed a pair on the day.
Things looked dubious for the Sea Eagles early in the reply when Craig Nicholson was returned to the sheds for just three runs.
A few overs later, Bennett was also dismissed cheaply as the Knights looked to counter Tathra’s batting efforts.
However, the Sea Eagles doubled down at the crease and quickly built to a strong run rate.
Chris Dwyer impressed with 44 runs not-out, but the standout was Kel Evans, who drove beyond a century before he was caught out.
The Sea Eagles had set a remarkable pace with Ben O’Reilly chiming in just a half-dozen runs not-out to finish off the scoring.
The hosts claimed the day 3/187 in the 23rd over.
The Sea Eagles now have control at the top of the competition ladder with the Knights still in close pursuit and Bermagui and Pambula rounding out the top four.
The Tathra two side unfortunately suffered another loss over the weekend, going down to Mallacoota and will need a strong run in the final rounds to hold on to finals hope.