The Eagles won the toss and elected to bat against the third-placed Kangaroos at the weekend, a decision they made full use of in belting the highest total seen in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association Johnstone Shield firsts competition this season, posting a formidable 8-309 after 80 overs.
Matthew Collard and Cox opened the batting for the Eagles, however they were only able to add 21 together before Collard was sent packing, bringing Bryant to the crease for what would become the cornerstone of Eastern Hill’s innings.
For 23 overs, Cox and Bryant rotated the strike between them, Bryant doing the bulk of the scoring with 54 runs at a healthy strike rate just shy of 70, as the duo put on a second-wicket stand of 89 runs, dragging the Eagles beyond 100 runs before Bryant was dismissed, the scoreboard reading 2-110.
Oscar Newell joined Cox in the middle, the pair adding 46 runs to take the Eagles beyond the 150 mark before Newell was dismissed for 19, leaving Eastern Hill three down for 156.
Wickets began to fall steadily for the Eagles, with Nathan Fowler (8) removed shortly before Cox was forced to depart, having made a brilliant 88 from 146 deliveries to set up the Eastern Hill innings, just a week after raising the bat with 114 in the seconds, although his wicket left the Eagles at 5-194 with 30 overs still remaining.
The tail wagged for the Eagles, with contributions of 39 each from Ollie Bryant and Michael Brown, the latter combining with skipper Seamus Feery to add 51 runs for the eighth wicket, departing with the 300-run milestone in sight.
Feery (21 not out) guided Eastern Hill across the line, eventually posting a mammoth 8-309 to set Sunbury a target of 310 to win this Saturday.
The strong performance with the bat has put the Eagles in the box seat to secure victory on day two, which could create some breathing room at the top of the ladder.
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