The Eagles dominated proceedings on day one and were chasing outright victory on day two, however had to settle for first innings points only in a result that solidifies their standing at the top.
Asked to bowl on day one at Kings Park, Eastern Hill tore through the Lancefield line-up to have the visitors bowled out in only 42 overs, restricting them to a total of 78 and having all bar one Lancefield batter trudge back to the sheds with single digits next to their name.
Oscar Newell was the chief destroyer, snaring incredible figures of 4-7 from six overs, four of which were maidens, while Benjamin Bryant (3-20) and Fraser Lewis (2-20) each claimed multiple wickets as the Eagles put themselves in a commanding position.
The home side took no time to eclipse the Lancefield total in their turn with the bat, building a solid total through Newell, who top-scored with 72 off 101 deliveries, and Ollie Bryant, who contributed 59 from 72, as the Eagles chased quick runs and declared on 5-179 with a lead of 101 on day two.
Having had to contend with a rain delay earlier in the morning, a Herculean five-wicket haul for Benajamin Bryant, who finished with figures of 5-32 from 17.2 overs, very nearly saw Eastern Hill to the outright win, however the Eagles eventually ran out of time, with Lancefield surviving to the end of the day’s play at 6-85.
The win ensures the Eagles remain atop the ladder with a two-point margin over closest rival Diggers Rest Bulla Village, as they embark on an important two-week stretch either side of Christmas.
Eastern Hill will face third-placed Kilmore in a T20 game this Saturday in Kilmore, the final game before the festive break, as it looks to widen the gulf between the top two and the rest, before returning to action with a huge clash against second-placed Diggers Rest at Kings Park on January 10.
