The competition-leading Sea Eagles hosted the Pambula Bluedogs at Lawrence Park on Saturday, but comfortably claimed the win by more than 100 runs. 

The hosts batted first and Pete Bennett laid the foundation for a good innings with 55 runs at open, while fellow opener Chris Dwyer was dismissed more cheaply – bowled for 14.

After Bennett’s stint, middle order bat Gordon Wiegold made a credible effort to score 46 runs, eventually returned to the sheds on a runout. 

Earlier Tynan Taylor had joined the fray with a well-compiled 30-run haul, but the Bluedogs were claiming a few handy wickets cheaply.

 Third order bat Ben O’Reilly was done for just six runs off a Josh Hammond catch, while John Chandler and Jarrod Moorehead were both dismissed for singles. 

Despite the couple of stumps coming in, the Sea Eagles were well on their way, passing 220 when Moorehead was returned to the sheds. 

A solid tail-end knock of 17 runs by Braiden McIntosh ensured the hosts would have a strong target for the visitors to pursue, finishing the 40 overs for 229 runs.

Ethan Adams had been the best with the ball for the visitors, claiming three wickets, while Tom Baker made his presence felt to secure two wickets for the Bluedogs. 

However, despite moments of strength, the Bluedogs ultimately fell short with the bat, stumbling to Tathra’s bowling attack. 

Adams backed up his bowling display with a good open for the Pambula squad, notching 23 runs before he was returned to the sheds. 

Unfortunately his batting partner Zach Keogh was done for a duck off a Geordie Gibbs catch and the Bluedogs’ innings never quite recovered. 

Liam Allan had the side’s best with 33 runs to his name, but Charlie Shephard’s three and a duck against Josh Hammond meant the wickets were tumbling far too quickly. 

Shane Baird and Lewis Hopkins broke double figures, claiming 11 and 10 runs respectively on enemy territory, but once they were dismissed the Pambula tail offered little resistance against the Tathra machine. 

Toby Jennings and Joel Bond found five runs apiece, but Tom Baker and Harry McAlpin each had just one run to their name – with McAlpin running out of batting partners to finish the innings. 

The Bluedogs had finished in the 28^th over for just 101 runs in total, leaving them well shy of Tathra’s offering.  

Play now breaks until round 10 on January 18.