TATHRA’S dominance of the Twenty20 format looked in doubt on Saturday.
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Facing off against Pambula in the first round of the weekend’s double header, the Maroons limped home to win by just one run.
However, its second match against Eden resulted in a much clearer win to secure Tathra its fourth consecutive Twenty20 win this season.
Playing at the Pambula Sporting Complex in Pambula Beach the Maroons top order was dropping rapidly in spite of posting good runs.
Adam Blacka was out quickly, followed by Chris Dwyer.
Captain Ben O’Reilly provided some staying power at the crease and was slogging fours around the park left, right and centre.
Rob Stevenson joined him and also added valuable runs, but the partnership was brought to an abrupt end shortly after.
The middle order fell quickly and Tathra finished up its 20 overs with a solid 120 run effort.
Shane Garrett and Kye Overend were the standouts of the Pambula bowlers, who were making quick work of the batting line-up.
With the roles reversed Tathra set about taking wickets and keeping Pambula quiet.
However, the Pambula batsmen seemed to have Lachlan Gordon’s number as they steadily added runs.
A strong fielding performance was Tathra’s saving grace as wickets fell swiftly.
In the final over Pambula needed seven runs from six balls and team-mates watched on anxiously.
A few wide balls saw the count reduced to five runs from the final five.
Then with the last ball of the game Pambula needed three runs to take home a win, but could only secure one to miss by a slim margin.
The Maroons’ second match on the other hand was an almost clinical affair.
Tathra went in to bat first and Blacka managed a repeat of last week’s performance to score 110 runs.
O’Reilly also added a half century with his 51 and with extras from Dwyer on 11 and Craig Nicholson’s nine, the squad surpassed 200 runs overall to leave Eden reeling.
Tyrone Thomas and Reece Wheeler were Eden’s best line of defence picking up five wickets between them including an lbw each.
Eden took to the crease, but could not muster the chase to overcome Tathra’s score despite posting a solid effort of 150 runs.
Top scorers were Neil Baker’s 53 and Andrew Evelyn’s 28.
Wheeler added 24 before he was bowled by Tim Harrison.
Dan Blacka was impressive taking four wickets for just 14 runs, while Chris Dwyer added two wickets to the cause.