The first division Merimbula cricket side fell to the visiting South Eurobodalla Pirates in the semi-finals on Saturday at Berrambool Oval. 

The Knights won the toss and sent the Pirates in to bat, but weren’t quite prepared for the resistance they would face.

 With Thilan Walgamage out lbw for a duck and fellow opener Jordan Dibden dismissed for just six not long after, you could be forgiven for thinking the Knights had it in the bag. 

However, club veteran Dean Friskin partnered with Simon Mackie and the two ran rampant for a 100-run partnership as the Pirates built to a 188-run total. 

Friskin top-scored for the Pirates with 64, while Mackie was on his way to a half-century at 43 before the pair were dismissed. 

A 24-not-out at the tail end by Nick Mason sealed the strong result for the Pirates. 

Zac Wells was the best with the ball for Merimbula, claiming three wickets, while Dylan Jordan and Ash Postance claimed two apiece. 

The Knights came close to charging down the required, but couldn’t quite muster the run rate and fell victim to some high balls to fall short all-out for 150. 

High shots proved the downfall for the Knights with nine of their wickets falling to catches by the Pirates’ fielders. 

Opener Matt Lawson was returned to the sheds cheaply, caught by Dibden for five. 

Fellow opener Brendan Daley fared better and built a solid 35 runs before he was also caught by Dibden. 

Jordan also contributed well with 31 before he was caught by Elijah Blair. 

Unfortunately for the Knights, Tom Kellar, Patrick Whittard and Ash Postance were all dismissed cheaply. 

Jay Richmond steadied the chase with a well-controlled before Wells also chimed in with 15 but like their team-mates, both were dismissed by catches. 

Pardeep Kumar was the solitary player not caught-out, but rather was returned to the sheds on an lbw after clocking up 19 runs. 

A cheap final wicket with Ray Fisher on two meant the Knights were all-out for 150, and now find themselves out of contention. 

Meanwhile, the Tathra Sea Eagles dropped just one wicket in their chase over the Eden first division side as Chris Dwyer scored 89. 

Ben O’Reilly was also instrumental in the Sea Eagles running down the target comfortably, finishing just shy of a half-century as the hosts rounded the required total.

Eden opener Drew Mudaliar had ensured his team wouldn’t be easily cast aside after also scoring into the 80s for the visitors. 

The Tathra Sea Eagles will host the South Eurobodalla Pirates for the final of the Far South Coast Association division one draw on Saturday from 1pm.