Much-needed rain no doubt brought smiles to many residents on Saturday, except those looking to an explosive start to the 2018/19 cricket season.
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Most 1st Division games were abandoned due to the wet conditions, including the highly anticipated duel between Tathra and Eden.
The teams last met during last season’s semi final, which saw eventual competition winner Tathra chase down Eden’s first innings score of 173 by nine wickets in just 28 overs.
He’s cool, calm and collected so he’ll handle the pressure.
- Tathra president Adam Blacka on the club's youngest ever skipper Quinn Fletcher-Barrie
The game was set to feature the Sea Eagles’ youngest ever full-time captain Quinn Fletcher-Barrie, and new squad addition, and former Bega player, Jayden Hayhorn.
Eighteen-year-old Fletcher-Barrie’s offspin and handy middle order batting saw him average 18.4 with the bat and 8.5 with the ball in 1st Division last season.
Club president Adam Blacka said Fletcher-Barrie represents the region at U19 level and the added responsibility of taking on the captaincy will bring out the best in the youngster.
READ MORE: When Aaron Finch was Adam Blacka’s bunny
“We’ve decided we need to teach the roles to the next generation, because we will all be retiring over the next five to six years,” Blacka said.
“Quinn can lean on us this season, and he’s cool, calm and collected so he’ll handle the pressure.”
New players Dan Ryan and 16-year-old Lochie Tricky also strengthen Tathra’s depth, which is one thing Blacka said was missing from the club during the 2017/18 season.
“It’s a good thing for the club to have young up and coming players to give us the depth we need,” Blacka said.
The Sea Eagles will take on Kameruka next week at Lords View Oval.
“We’ll be looking forward to the small boundaries,” Blacka said.
“We’ve got some big hitters, so it could be a big scoring game.
“Although some players can get over-excited and try to go for the big shots.”
He said Kameruka’s attack, which features Jack Matthews and Jay Stanford, know the ground well and play to their strengths.
“Kameruka definitely know how to play well on that ground,” he said.
In other games, South Eurobodalla and Kameruka shared six points each after their match at Dalmeny was abandoned.
Pambula was defeated by Merimbula by just one wicket in a low scoring game at the Pambula Beach Sporting Complex. Pambula batted first and was bowled out for just 164 off 38.3 overs, before Merimbula chased down the target in 29.4 overs with a wicket in hand.
