In a stunning local derby at the Pambula Sporting Complex, the visiting Merimbula side battled hard to upstate their hosts, winning by three points 6-13-49 to 7-4-46. 

Behinds were hard to come by, and goals were even harder as both teams lined up their best and brightest in the backs. 

For Merimbula that came in the form of Dylan Jordan and on-field leader Daniel Worden, who both worked out of the half-backs like kicking machines. 

Jordan provided reach with some exceptional long range boots, while Worden provided in close support to his mids with some tactical back plays. 

On the Pambula end of the field, key roles fell to Dylan Cook and Jono Di Donato, who served with good pace and strength in ball contests to contain the Merimbula attack. 

The opening quarter was one of the biggest scores as both teams found their footing with the home side kicking clear to a 20-9 lead by the break. 

Moving the ball forward were two of Merimbula’s best on the day in Will Regan and Brendon Gordon with a good run on the footy. 

But they did not get a free run of play by any stretch as the hosts countered with their own front line troops. 

Mitchell Wallis was among Pambula’s best, clearing space and kicking two goals, while Tom Fergusson found three goals. 

Goal kicking prodigy Angus Tarpey had been heavily marked, but still found room to boot two for the hosts. 

Merimbula’s goals came from six individual kickers, but Kris Collins was the standout with a pair on the day. 

By the half it looked like the hosts could take the biscuits with Merimbula just finding a handful of behinds to trail 27-13. 

However, the visitors began making their run in the third quarter to close the gap slightly to 11. 

It was the final quarter where the Diggers piled on the pressure to kick three points clear. 

The earlier women’s game was a lot more lop-sided as the host Pambula side trounced the visitors 10-11-71 to 0-0-0.

The Panthers were strong from range and were able to flood the forward 50, containing play in Merimbula’s defensive zone for much of the game. 

Kiarna Woolley-Blain led the charge with five goals, but Tayla Wilson also chimed in with two. 

The club also praised strong performances from Annie Gilbert and Claudia Ferguson. 

Pambula head to Eden on Saturday and the Diggers travel to Narooma.