The Eagles returned to action in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association Johnstone Shield firsts competition following the Christmas break on Saturday in a blockbuster clash, taking on the second placed Kookaburras in a heavyweight showdown, and looked in trouble after their efforts with the bat, posting 9-132 from 45 overs.
But Nathan Fowler allayed any fears of a first loss this season, sinking the visitors with a brilliant five-wicket haul to ensure the Eagles remain unbeaten, 11 points clear at the top.
Asked to bat after losing the toss, Eastern Hill’s batsmen found plenty of starts; however, none were able to go on with things, as the Kookaburras continued to find momentum-stalling wickets.
Openers Billy Cox and Dean Fulco each added 22, while the Bryants, Ben (18) and Ollie (24), were also important contributors, but the ability of the visitors to find consistent wickets meant the Eagles mustered just 132 runs from the allotted 45 overs, leaving Diggers Rest 133 runs for victory and giving their bowlers plenty of work to do to preserve their unbeaten record.
It quickly became apparent the Eastern Hill pace cartel was more than up to the task, though, as Ben Bryant (1-15) snared the first scalp in the second over of the innings, as the visitors slumped to 1-3.
Tight bowling made it hard for the Diggers Rest batsmen to score; however, they managed to evade the Eagles bowlers for eight overs, steadily building a partnership for the second wicket, until Fowler was brought on in the 11th over, and promptly changed the course of the game.
Netting the second wicket for the Eagles in his first over and leaving Diggers Rest at 2-29, Fowler went on to snare scalps in four of his next five overs, while Oscar Newell capitalised on the mayhem to snare two of his own in that period also, as the visitors collapsed to 8-55 having lost 7-26 in a chaotic seven overs.
From there it was a formality, as Daniel O’Sullivan mopped up the tail, as Eastern Hill bowled out the Kookaburras for 85 to mark win number seven on the trot, extending its lead at the top of the table.
Newell (2-20) and O’Sullivan (2-3) were both superb with the ball, claiming multiple wickets, however it was Fowler’s 5-31 that enabled the Eagles to win, highlighting the depth they possess with both bat and ball in hand.
The Eagles will head to Sunbury this weekend to take on the Kangaroos at Eric Boardman Oval as they attempt to maintain their unbeaten start to the season through the opening 10 rounds.
