After leading for the majority of the second half, the Sea Eagles saw their lead slip away in the final 10 minutes through two late Devils' tries, including a try to Trey Parsons with just two minutes left.

However, young halfback Tully Wilton missed a chance to give his side the lead, and Tathra ended up with the football after a short kickoff.

The Devils started the brighter side, as they scored the first two tries of the match through Elijah Blair and Todd Ayers to jump out to a 12-0 lead inside 20 minutes.

However, the Sea Eagles hit back just six minutes later through Sean Lamber, and two more tries to Tate Cochrane and Kyle Shepherdson gave the visitors a 14-12 lead at half time.

Tathra continued that momentum in the second half, as Declan Bower-Scott powered over in the right corner just two minutes after the break.

When Benjamin Crowley crossed for another Tathra try in the 57^th minute, the visitors looked set to run away with the match.

The Devils weren't done though, as Jackson Kelly scored to bring them back within four points.

Shepherdson then caught the Devils' defence napping with a brilliant kick-and-chase try to give the visitors a 26-18 lead with 10 minutes remaining.

The Devils needed a big finish, and Angus Wilton gave them a shot at an unlikely victory with a try in the 74^th minute.

The comeback looked complete three minutes from full time, as Elijah Blair split the Sea Eagles' defence on the right flank. He found Trey Parsons in support, and the winger slid in to lock the scores at 28-all.

However, Tully Wilton sent his conversion attempt off to the right, giving Tathra one last chance to steal the points.

The Sea Eagles regained possession after a short kick-off, giving Adam Blacka the chance to break the Devils' hearts.

Devils' coach, Todd Wright, lamented the result, but said his squad showed great fight.

"They were good today," he said. "We were short on playing numbers again, and we had a lot of reserve-graders and under 18s playing full games.

"It's probably the most gutsy we've played this year, but we want to put some polish on the end of our sets.

"We didn't train all week because we had a few guys sick, so today was a fantastic effort.

"The effort is certainly there, I just wish we got the result in the end, but that's the way it goes."

Wright refused to make Tully Wilton responsible for the loss, and praised the performance of the young halfback.

"He's just to keep his head up," he said. "He's got plenty of years and footy and him, and if he keeps working as hard as he does off the field, good things will come his way."

The Devils reserve-grade side played one of their best games of the season in a 22-12 loss to Tathra.

Numbers were short due to injuries and promotions to first grade, but the boys put in a good effort and stuck with it to the final whistle.

Tathra were also short but some of their first graders dropped back to help and these players made the difference.

Tathra led 18-0 at the break, but two excellent tries to Chris Fernando kept the Devils in the game at 18-12, with Tathra needing a late try to seal the match.

Best for the Reserves were Chris, Trey Parsons and James Nye-Potts with Albert Pickalla and Mitch Parsons winning the coaches' award.

The She-Devils made it two in a row with a thumping 46-4 win over the Tathra She-Eagles.

They blasted away to a 22-0 lead in just ten minutes and lead 34-0 at the break.

Tathra improved in the second half but the She-Devils were just too good on the day.

Best for the Devils were Makayla Morris, who tallied 30 points with four tries and seven goals, Sarah Alderton and Kira Campbell, with Cody Godfrey the Players' Player.

The Devils tackle Merimbula-Pambula at Pambula next Sunday, following which they have four home games in a row.

In other news, the Devils will hold their Red and White Ball at Club Narooma on Friday, July 19, at 6.30pm.

The night will feature lucky-door prizes, live entertainment, a jersey auction, and lots of other fun activities.

Tickets are $50, which includes a two-course dinner, and are available at Club Narooma reception.