Sport

Eastern Hill in box seat after twin half-centuries on day one

By Alexander Dabb

Jan 26, 2026

Oscar Newell was one of two Eagles to make a half-century at the weekend along with Ben Bryant, helping Eastern Hill to a dominant position at stumps. Photo: Elite Edge Creative.

A pair of half-centuries on day one has put Eastern Hill in prime position to claim points in its Gisborne and District Cricket Association Johnstone Shield firsts clash with Kilmore, as the ladder leaders look to further consolidate their standing at the top.

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Having extended their lead at the top following a 28-run win over Sunbury last weekend to remain unbeaten so far this season, the Eagles headed into the clash against Kilmore 17 points clear of second place, and look set to extend that margin given a dominant day one at Kings Park on Saturday.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, the Eagles lost opener Billy Cox (2) cheaply to be one down with only five runs scored, however, were soon put on the right path after Ben Bryant joined Dean Fulco at the crease, with the pair settling in for the long haul.

While it wasn’t exactly rapid scoring, the pair occupied time, frustrating the Kilmore attack for a marathon 41-over stand, adding 91 runs along the way to bring Eastern Hill within touching distance of the 100-run mark for the loss of only one wicket.

Bryant would be run out just shy of that mark for a brilliant 59, however, bringing Oscar Newell to the crease, and while Fulco would bat on, he too would depart soon after for 33 from 147 deliveries, leaving the Eagles at 3-118.

Nathan Fowler strode out to the middle and brought some firepower with him, combining with Newell in a 73-run stand, contributing 38 from 31 deliveries in a bid to lift the run rate before holing out, as Eastern Hill slumped to 4-191.

Newell had slowly made his way to a half-century at the other end, reaching 58, however his wicket saw the Eagles fall to 5-201, and it looked as though Kilmore might be able to wrestle back the ascendancy as the overs wound down, flying through the middle order to have the home side down 7-226.

A 51-run stand for the eighth wicket ensured that wouldn’t be the case, though, as Matthew Collard (31) and skipper Seamus Feery (30 not-out) added valuable lower order runs, with the Eagles reaching stumps with an imposing 8-291 on the board, almost two-thirds of which was scored in the final 30 overs of the day.

It puts Eastern Hill in prime position ahead of day two this Saturday, as they look to cement their huge advantage at the top of the ladder with three rounds remaining before finals.