Eastern Hill swooped on Pyalong at Kings Park in Saturday’s Seymour District Cricket Association one day clash.
Electing to bat the opening Eastern Hill partnership made 30 runs before Pyalong’s Matthew Pratt sent Dallas Bergowicz out.
In a tough break for Pyalong, the Eagles got on a run before captain Jamie Pryor sent out Benjamin Bryant who was deadly with the bat making 71 runs, bringing the Eagles to 2/159.
A 33-run partnership continued the Hill’s strong run before another wicket sent Brayden Speechley out with 77.
A quick wicket from Matthew Pratt sent Matthew Collard out for three before the Eagles finished the innings 4/209 (45).
Pryor said despite the score, it was some of Pyalong’s best bowling.
“They are on top of the ladder for a reason,” he said.
“It was probably our best bowling performance in some time, which sounds silly looking at the scores.
“Was just one of those days where anything in the air just fell short, or just went over the top.
“They also push hard for every run and really put pressure on the fielders.”
Pyalong’s opening batsman Mitchell Ryan was sent out for a duck before some runs got on the board.
Paul Dugard went out 2/22 and another quick wicket saw Sean Walsh walking at 3/23.
With wickets falling quickly Pyalong were 6/39 before the drinks break.
Pyalong kept chipping away however Eastern Hill cut through the batsmen sending the visitors all out for 87.
Matthew Pratt led Pyalong’s run count with 29.
Daniel O’Sullivan and Collard bowled well for Eastern Hill 4/20 and 3/17 respectively.
Fraser Lewis also bowled 1/4.
“Our batting was disappointing,” Pryor said.
“We need to turn that around quickly leading into a big game for us next week against Alexandra.”
Up the road at Chittick Park Seymour defeated Avenel 6/140 (35) to 10/139 (35).
Avenel elected to bat with most of the batsmen unable to crack the double-digit run count, while Aaron Kent had a standout performance making 54 runs.
Seymour’s Braidon Horkings bowled 2/2 while Hugh Smith had 3/13.
Picking up the bat Seymour made good ground early a 40-run opening partnership before Hayden Gawne got sent out.
Seymour’s run slowed before a 41-run partnership had them 5/94, as the side continued to chase before securing the win.
Vice-captain Lachlan Drummond led Seymour’s batting with a half a century effort.
In Yea, the Tigers defeated Alexandra 5/48 (8) to 10/46 (28.1).
On Saturday Yea host Seymour, Alexandra make the trip to Pyalong and Eastern Hill play Tallarook in a first verse second clash.
