The Merimbula Knights have stunned the Tathra Sea Eagles leading into cricket semi-finals.
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The Knights handed the Sea Eagles their only loss of the season on Saturday, dropping just three wickets in the run chase at Berrambool Oval.
The Sea Eagles won the toss and elected to bat first, but couldn’t gain much traction after a solid open to finish all-out for 130.
Tathra started well with both Chris Dwyer and Pete Bennett building to a solid score.
Dwyer was dismissed lbw by the bowling of Dylan Jordan, but had mustered 26 runs on the board.
Bennett was caught by Brendan Daley after amassing 39 runs.
However, the Tathra innings quickly went south with Jordan bowling Ben O’Reilly for a duck, while Daniel Ryan was stumped on nine runs.
The Sea Eagles made a comeback in the middle order with Adam Blacka finding 14 runs before he was caught out.
Quinn Fletcher-Barrie then chimed in with a well-compiled 29.
However, once those two were dismissed the Merimbula bowling attack wreaked havoc on the bottom order.
Geordie Gibbs was returned for a duck, while Rhys Cunningham and Braiden McIntosh made just two runs apiece as the Tathra order finished up.
Jordan was instrumental in Tathra’s defeat on Saturday, securing four wickets with the ball before going on to lead the run chase in a team-best display.
After a quiet start from the Knights’ order, Jordan steadied the ship with a superb 74 not-out.
Brendan Daley was bowled for nine runs by Ryan before fellow opener Matt Lawson was caught by Cunningham on 16.
Jordan came in at three and began his partnership with Tom Kellar, but Kellar was run out later for 13.
Pat Whittard joined Jordan at the crease and was on 14 runs when the Knights passed the required total in the 29th over, finishing 3/134.
Despite the result, the Sea Eagles finished comfortably atop the ladder, almost 30 competition points in front of the Knights.
The Sea Eagles also finished the season with the best batting statistics of any team in the competition and one of the best bowling cards.
The Knights will host the South Eurobodalla Pirates in the 2v3 semi-final at Merimbula’s Berrambool Oval on Saturday.
Play is from 1pm and the Knights are expected to advance, while Tathra will face the Eden first division outfit in a semi-final at Lawrence Park.
The Knights and Sea Eagles are anticipated to win their respective clashes and meet again in the final.
The Eden squad finished fourth after going down to the South Eurobodalla Pirates on Saturday.
Jacob McMaster
I am passionate about amplifying people's stories and trying to do them justice in the written word. I find pressure washing videos soothing. email me jacob.mcmaster@austcommunitymedia.com.au or 0406 212 845.
I am passionate about amplifying people's stories and trying to do them justice in the written word. I find pressure washing videos soothing. email me jacob.mcmaster@austcommunitymedia.com.au or 0406 212 845.
