Tallon Smith

The Tathra Sea Eagles have won their first Group 16 Rugby League premiership in six years after a 30-18 win over the Merimbula-Pambula Bulldogs in the Grand Final at Pambula Sporting Complex on Sunday.

Five tries to Clay Ellison, Declan Bower-Scott, Tyran Stevenson, Dylan Shaw and Malcolm Green were enough to seal the win for Tathra and avenge their loss to the Bulldogs from two seasons ago.

A hat-trick to Pose Tuilaepa accounted for three of the Bulldogs’ four tries, but ultimately poor goal kicking left them two scores adrift of their opponents when it mattered.

Four first half tries saw the Sea Eagles open up a 24-10 lead over the Bulldogs at half time, leaving the home side with all the work to do.

The Bulldogs did win the second half 8-6, scoring two tries to one, but ultimately their incredible regular season run finished without the success of two years ago when they defeated Tathra 38-18 to take home the title.

The win comes two weeks after Tathra ended the Bulldogs’ undefeated run with a shock 22-0 win in the Major Semi Final at the same venue.

Merimbula-Pambula then thrashed Eden 42-10 in the Preliminary Final, only to fall again to the Sea Eagles on their home turf in the big dance.

There was some joy for the home side however with Merimbula-Pambula taking out the Reserve Grade title with a 16-12 win over Bombala.

A Campbell Lovatt double saw the Bulldogs over the line against a spirited Blue Heelers outfit.

The Bega Roosters also had their fair share of success on the day, taking out the Under 18s and League Tag Grand Finals, with wins over Merimbula-Pambula (14-10) and Bombala (8-6) respectively.