Having dominated red ball proceedings recently, the Eagles flicked into white ball mode for their trip to Kilmore on Saturday afternoon, in what shaped as a pivotal contest in shaping the top few spots on the ladder.
With Eastern Hill occupying top spot, and Kilmore third, the T20 at Kilmore Cricket Ground promised to be an entertaining affair; however, the Eagles ensured it was anything but, storming to a 44-run victory and extending their lead at the top.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, the visitors got off to a flyer through Cox and Oscar Newell, with the duo putting together an opening stand of 65 in their 8.4 overs together, scoring at 7.5 runs per over before Newell holed out for 21.
The momentum stalled slightly from there for Eastern Hill, however, and despite Cox continuing to score and raising the bat to salute a well-made 50, wickets began to fall.
Benjamin Bryant was the next victim, dismissed for 11 as the Eagles fell to 2-86, while Nathan Fowler (7), Cox (58 from 43) and Michael Brown (0) would all follow, as the score went from 2-98 to 5-100 in quick fashion.
Dean Fulco helped steady the ship, however, belting an unbeaten 26 from 17 deliveries, supported by Matthew Collard’s steady 21, as the Eagles recovered in the final stages of the innings to post 6-153.
With a competitive total behind them, the Eagles bowlers could get to work, and that they did.
Fraser Lewis (2-21) made the breakthrough in the third over, which he immediately followed up two balls later, as Kilmore slumped to 2-19, and the wickets just kept on coming.
A Matthew Collard shy at the stumps accounted for the third scalp, while Newell (2-15) joined the party shortly after with his first of the afternoon, then his second, as the home side was reduced to 5-38.
Fowler (1-9) and Daniel O’Sullivan (1-15) kept the Eagles’ momentum up, too, each snaring wickets of their own, to have Kilmore 7-50 in the 13th over.
While there was a brief resistance from the Kilmore lower order, the Eagles were never in danger of losing, eventually mopping up the tail to bowl the home side out for 109 in the final over, securing victory number six on the trot.
The win also saw the Eagles further extend their lead at the top, with second-placed Diggers Rest Bulla Village having its match abandoned against Eynesbury, leaving Eastern Hill five points clear.
It sets up a scintillating battle between the two undefeated sides once competition resumes after Christmas, though, with Eastern Hill to host Diggers Rest at Kings Park on January 10 in a top-two showdown.
