A mighty 91-run stand from Pambula’s Tom Keath was not enough to help his side chase down Eden’s imposing 234-run total at Pambula Beach Ground on Saturday.
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The Bluedogs’ run rate was restricted by the visitors’ tight bowling as Pambula finished its 40 overs 20 runs shy of victory at 9/214.
Eden’s Drew Mudaliar looked set to punish the home team after Keath dropped the opener early in the innings, before he made amends to combine with Lewis Hopkins (1/29) to claim the first wicket.
But an 85-run partnership between Pat Kearney (35 runs) and Martin Butchers (75) laid the foundations for a competitive total.
A 46-run stand by Tyrone Thomas and a leaky 35 extras from the Pambula bowlers saw Eden finish its 40 overs at 6/234.
Keath (2/56) was the best of the Bluedog bowlers, while Jake Taylor (1/43), Shane Baird (1/35) and Liam Allan (1/23) also claimed wickets.
Thomas had the early breakthrough when he claimed Zak Keogh’s wicket for two runs, before Hopkins (24 runs) and Keath combined for a 48-run stand.
But the wickets tumbled at the right moments for Eden to keep the pressure on the Pambula batsmen, with the home side looking precarious at 4/80 then 5/115.
Butchers (3/31) and Thomas (3/37) were brilliant with the ball, while Tim Bowes (2/40) managed to break the first-wicket partnership.
Josh Hammond fought to the end to be 27 not out as Pambula suffered its second straight defeat to start the 2017-18 season.
Merimbula also encountered a loss at the weekend after suffering a six-wicket defeat to Southern Eurobodalla in Narooma.
The Knights were in trouble early at 2/26, but Matt Lawson (38 runs), Ash Postance (36) and Pat Whittard (32) ensured the visitors could post a competitive total as they finished their 40 overs at 9/155.
Zac Wells (2/34) struck early for Merimbula to have both Pirate openers out lbw for single figures.
But an impressive 85 not by Simon Mackie proved the Knights’ undoing as Southern Eurobodalla reached the target in the 32nd over.
Whittard (2/40) was the only other wicket-taker.
Merimbula is fixtured to host Bermagui at Berrambool Oval, despite Bermi forfeiting its opening two matches.
Pambula will travel to face the Knights and Eden will play host to Tathra.
In division two action, a 44-run final-wicket stand fell two runs shy of victory as Kameruka lost to Tathra at Lords View Oval.
Eden-Mallacoota also won a tight contest against Tuross Head in the final over, while an imposing 123 not out from Bega-Angledale’s Lachlan Sims set up a 126-run victory against Southern Eurobodalla.
Wolumla had a bye.