The Bay put together its best batting performance in more than a month in the first innings, led ably by Matt Sethi in the early going.

Sethi was solid as a rock for the opening part of the innings, looking unchallenged until his half century.

However, he got the wobbles after reaching his half ton, as he narrowly avoided being caught at cover on 51. He would only last another two balls after that chance, as he spooned a catch to Bradley Field to end his innings.

That gave Sam Lee and Zac Henstock a chance to build something at the crease, one they would take with gusto.

Lee and Henstock controlled the Ulladulla bowling for long period, frustrating them with a series of singles and boundaries to keep the total ticking over.

Lee reached his first half-century of the season as the pair looked to take the game away from Ulladulla.

The partnership was eventually broken by Angus Rutherford, who took a ridiculous catch off his own bowling to remove Henstock for 49.

Rutherford barely had time to react to Henstock’s straight drive, but a diving effort to his right saw the ball stick in one hand for one of the catches of the season.

Lee continued with his innings, scoring an unbeaten 72 to anchor the Bay’s total of 7/230.

Peter King put together another impressive effort with the ball, taking three wickets to lead United, while Joel Turner claimed two scalps.

United’s run chase started on shaky ground, as Luke Condon’s first over had Shane Harris fishing for the ball.

Harris would eventually settle down as Connor Hawkins took over from the other end, the pair putting on a quick 50 partnership.

The partnership would end at 59 as Harris was caught by Scott Fagerlund at cover for 20.

The match then became a tale of missed opportunities for the Bay, as both Hawkins and Aaron Wester were dropped with the game in the balance.

They would both go on to punish the mistakes, as Hawkins would make a loud 84 to take the game away from the visitors.

Batemans Bay did briefly swing momentum back to their side after the wicket of Hawkins, as firebolt Mitch Hockey clean-bowled Joel Turner for a duck to have the home side at 3/140.

Rocky Lavalle and Bradley Field would both pitch in with the bat, but when Darcy Knight claimed the wicket of Aaron Wester for 50, the visitors had a sniff at their first win.

Peter King would end that chance with a solid 21, including a six to bring up the winning runs. Wes Holmes also finished unbeaten on 15.

King was happy with the victory, but lamented his team’s lack of urgency in their innings.

“We sort of cruised around for a good 20 odd overs,” he said. “Obviously a few quick wickets didn’t help, but we’re happy to get there in the end.

“It could have gone either way. Both teams definitely had chances at some point to turn the match their way.”

Batemans Bay captain Scott Fagerlund called the result “frustrating”.

“The number one key for us is ‘catches win matches’,” he said. “We bat so well as a team, get our runs on the board, then drop three or four sitters.

“If we take those catches, we probably take 70 runs of the board, and we’re in the box seat.”

Ulladulla United will have a chance to jump into the top four next weekend against Bay and Basin in its final game before the Christmas break.