By Tallon Smith

The Tathra Sea Eagles will today face Eden after they ended the finals run of the Narooma Devils by virtue of a 30-28 extra time win in the Minor Semi Final at Tathra Country Club last Saturday.

After a scheduling conflict with rugby union forced their away Elimination Final encounter with Snowy River to be moved from Saturday to Sunday in week one, the Devils faced a six-day turnaround off the back of a 98-minute epic against the Bears, and performed admirably considering the circumstances, with second rower Jackson Kelly competing a hat-trick in the losing effort.

However, ultimately it was the Sea Eagles who prevailed via a penalty goal in extra time, with both Connor Carr and Brock Creary crossing for doubles in the victory that sees them progress through to face Eden in the Preliminary Final to be held at Narooma next Sunday.

Tathra Secretary Matthew Hughes said that the club’s growth into a consistent top five side in recent seasons has been built off the back of effort and a whole of club approach.

“We have seen our club grow over the past few years,” he said.

“Seeing how our First Grade [side] put their blood, sweat and tears into that game [was incredible].

“Narooma has been a very good side all year and we didn’t take them lightly.”

Hughes said that hosting the match at home was an “advantage” for the side.

“You want any advantage you can get,” he said.

“Playing at home in front of our family an friends gives us extra motivation.

“One of the greatest things about Tathra is our supporters.”

However, Hughes said that the tight-knit club also enjoys the challenge of travelling together on  away trips, as they will face this Sunday when they take on the Eden Tigers at Narooma.

“We also enjoy the challenge of playing away and trying to win on the road,” he said.

“We are a club that values everyone, on and off the field.”

In the Major Semi Final last weekend, the Merimbula-Pambula Bulldogs prevailed in an upset 24-20 win over the Minor Premiers Eden Tigers at George Brown Oval on Sunday.

After duelling it out all season for the Minor Premiership, it was the Tigers who seemed to be in stronger form after claiming the number 1 position from the hot-starting Bulldogs at the finish.

However, despite having to play an extra game last weekend against Tathra while Eden had the week off, it was the blue and whites who won the massive clash and booked their ticket to the decider in two weeks’ time.

Billy Doneman was amongst the Bulldogs’ best, crossing for a double, with Tawhiwhi Karaitiana and Luke Rixon the other try scorers, whilst both Lincoln (2 tries) and Joseph Stewart as well as Tom Bell crossed for the Tigers.

Today’s match sees Eden take on Tathra at Bill Smyth Memorial Oval in Narooma, with kick off at 2:45pm.