Just six points separated Tathra and Narooma in senior SCAFL play on Saturday.
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After trailing by 20 at the main break, the Sea Eagles fought valiantly to get within just one goal of the visitors, but went down 14-7-91 to 12-13-85.
The hosts were able to put more attacking kicks downfield, but were hampered by blustery winds sending long-range shots off course on Satruday.
Play opened at a frantic pace and barely slowed with an extremely physical battle through the middle showcasing the quality of both teams.
Troy O’Loghlin proved the best on ground for Tathra, but he was under constant pressure from Narooma’s Jason Sailuma in central clearances.
Shane Gartside and Chris Dwyer also worked hard out of the middle, but the Lions backed up with a size advantage to counter one of Tathra’s strongest zones on the field.
Jeremy Sly and Jai Reed were the two best performers for the Lions, dominating passages in the Narooma forward line to kick four goals apiece.
At the opposite end of the field, Louis Coulton was putting points on the board, kicking four goals for Tathra, while David Thompson featured prominently in the best on ground count with his three-goal haul.
Rick Spink and Tom Lipsham had also been impactful for the Eagles as they rallied to reel in the Lions after trailing 26-56 at the main break.
There was not much progress in the third quarter, gaining just one goal, but the Eagles had begun turning the tables to pull the Lions back four goals to two.
The trend continued in the fourth quarter, but the Lions were able to hold on to their one-goal buffer to the siren.
The Sea Eagles had earlier won the reserve grade and women’s games comfortably with both teams facing the Moruya/Broulee Giants at Lawrence Park.
Officials said it was another unfortunate week where women’s play was almost cancelled due to an on-field injury.
The Moruya/Broulee Giants had been in strong contention in the first quarter, trailing by just one point.
However, in the second quarter a Giants player went down with a broken leg and play was halted for around 20 minutes while waiting for an ambulance.
Both clubs agreed to play out the remaining time on the clock and the Eaglettes booted a number of goals to surge clear of their opponents.
Members congratulated Kaylah Faulkner, who kicked one of her first goals for the Eaglettes, while Cymmon Parker bagged two in the 6-4-40 to 2-1-13 win.
The reserves had dispatched the Giants convincingly with a 17-21-123 to 4-2-26 result.
Front-man Adam Blacka was on point with seven goals to his name, while Gordon Wiegold and Croc Little had also put in great displays.