The Pambula Panthers have held off the Tathra Sea Eagles in a close contest on Saturday.
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The Eagles were on the road to Pambula and out for vengeance, but succumbed in a close battle with the hosts 12-16-88 to 12-4-76.
From the outset, play was frenetic as possession swayed back and forth through the middle with both sides trading shots on the posts.
Accuracy was hindering the Panthers as they took a number of extra shots on the posts in the opening quarter than the Sea Eagles – who made most of their efforts stick.
The Panthers piled on 11 scoring kicks to Tathra’s four, but led by just two points as eight of their shots faded wide or were tapped through for single pointers.
The theme continued into the second quarter where the Sea Eagles had less chances on the goal square, but made kicks count with three goals to one in the period.
With another four behinds causing headaches for the hosts, the Eagles had jumped to a half-time lead 43-36.
However, showing good form, the Panthers fired back in the third quarter, dominating play six goals to two and a pair of behinds, putting them up by almost 20 points and holding their edge until the final buzzer.
Standout goal kickers were Jordan Pilgrim with four and a pair to Jake Taylor.
Earlier, the Sea Eaglettes had flipped the result, scoring a good win over the Panthers 7-9-51 to 5-2-32.
Echoing the close nature of the seniors, the women’s both went to the first break on 14 points, each kicking two goals and a pair of behinds.
The second quarter favoured the hosts as they edged the Eaglettes to a small lead, but momentum swayed back to Tathra in the third with scores locked up again at 26-26 at the break.
The Eaglettes rallied in the final quarter and were able to outscore their hosts four goals to one in the final period of play to swing the result.
In other matches, the Diggers scored a comfortable win over the Eden Whalers 23-8-146 to 9-4-58.
The Diggers didn’t miss the mark with their shots on goal, letting just a handful slip, while piling on six pointers.
And the club had a balanced display from the midfield and front men as Scott Richmond bagged seven goals, but hot on his heels was Ian Radford with five.
Kris Collins kicked three majors and Will Regan scored another two.
This weekend both Pambula and Merimbula are on the road with the Panthers travelling to Narooma to face the Lions and Diggers against the Breakers in Bermagui.
Ladies games run at 1.10 and seniors at 2.30pm.