Batting first, the Hammond brothers got Pambula off to a good start, with a 44 run opening partnership, before they both fell in quick succession.

Three quick wickets changed the momentum, but Jack Baker (18) and skipper Shane Baird (18) steadied the ship, with the Bluedogs sitting at 5/90 after 23 overs.

Brendon Reynolds (22) and Morgan Jackson (18) took the score to 8/138, before a gritty 26 run partnership between Tom Baker (22) and Harry McAlpin (5) pulled Pambula to a total of 164 from 38.3 overs.

Pardeep Kumar’s 3/25 and Ashley Postance’s 3/50 dominated the Pambula batting order, with Zac Wells also picking up a handy 2/40. 

In reply, the Knights got off to a flyer, reaching 2/71 in the first 10 overs.

Opener Tom Kellar’s 36 was the top score of the day, and included seven boundaries.

Matt Lawson’s knock of 20 helped take the opening stand past 50, before Tom Baker and Morgan Jackson claimed two wickets each, putting the Bluedogs back in the game, and leaving Merimbula at  a precarious 4/83.

A steady 39 run partnership between Kumar and Harlow took the score to 122, and a Merimbula victory seemed a certainty.

Needing to create something, Pambula skipper Bair brought on veteran leg spinner Tim Wilson, and “apprentice” Harry McAlpin.

Leg spin from both ends saw Harlow fall for 20, Wells for 8 and Kumar for 31, turning the game on its head and leaving Merimbula needing 20 runs with three wickets in hand.

Charles Aggenbach’s three boundaries quickly swung the momentum back in favour of the Knights who were sitting pretty at 8/157.

Tom Baker (4/35) was brought back into the attack and quickly claimed the wicket of Nick Fantham, who was well caught by the flying Jack Baker, with his first delivery.  Baker then struck Kevin Thompson on the pads with a yorker, and a loud appeal for LBW was turned down. Thompson and Priem got the Knight’s to a thrilling one wicket win. A great start to the 2018/19 season.