Former Orbost cricketer Dylan Jordan has led Pambula to victory in the Far South East Cricket Association grand final at the Pambula Sporting Complex.
Pambula defeated Eden in another classic, tense grand final, with both clubs always having a strong rivalry, as neighbouring towns, but there’s also been a mutual respect whenever the teams clash.
Pambula was sent in to bat, and finished their 40 overs at 9/179, with Jordan, the Pambula skipper, top-scoring with 48.
Opening batsmen Dean Mansfield (38) and Wade Edmed (21) also made solid contributions.
An unbeaten 21-run last-wicket partnership from bowlers Corey Trease (16) and Kye Overend (8) turned out to be extremely valuable, especially when it came to Eden’s run chase.
After the tea break, Eden set about chasing down the Pambula total.
Jordan took two wickets in the fifth over, then another in the ninth to have the Bluedogs on top with Eden at 3/25.
Some solid partnerships kept Eden in the match, needing 78 runs from 66 balls with five wickets in hand.
They looked set for victory when they skilfully whittled the total required down to 45 from 33 remaining balls.
Jordan brought himself back on and in a clutch defining moment had top scorer Matt Bell adjudicated out leg before wicket for 61.
Eden weren’t done, narrowing the equation to 27 runs from 22 balls.
Jordan continued bowling and a clean hit from Reece Wheeler was smacked to long-on over the head of fielder Aiden Bailey, so it seemed, but he miraculously scrambled
and dived full length backwards to grasp
the ball in his outstretched right hand in a match winning grab that had the home crowd in raptures.
That halted Eden’s momentum and they finished on 9/161 after 40 overs, with Jordan named Man of the Match for his 48 and 6/33.
