The Eagles, who are unbeaten since losing their opening two games, have a chance to secure the title in their first year in the competition, having crossed from the Seymour District Cricket Association at the end of last season.
With a grand final spot on the line, the Eagles faced East Sunbury at Kings Park at the weekend, and elected to bat after winning the toss.
A shaky start saw the home side slump to 3-37 as East Sunbury spearhead Blake Watson claimed a couple of early wickets, and was joined by Hammad Rashid, however skipper Seamus Feery and Ollie Bryant joined each other at the crease and looked to dig in.
With rain forecast for day two, a washout would see the Eagles through to the decider as the higher ranked side, meaning East Sunbury realistically needed to secure victory on day one.
But Feery and Bryant were impenetrable in the middle, with the skipper facing 136 deliveries for his 33, while Bryant faced 59 for just 15 runs, as they absorbed any pressure the East Sunbury attack tried to put them under.
When East Sunbury did eventually find the breakthrough via Nathan Dent (1-30), they grabbed a few quick wickets, but met resistance in Dalla Bergowicz and Daniel O’Sullivan, who finished unbeaten on 25 and six respectively.
The main aim heading into the day for Eastern Hill would have been to bat the full 75 overs, which is exactly what they did, reaching stumps with 8-145 on the board, and while it wasn’t an overly big total, it was all that was needed, as the heavens opened on Sunday and day two was lost to rain.
The Eagles will face Wallan in the decider at Greenhill Reserve in Wallan this weekend in what should be a cracking contest.
The two sides battled for top spot throughout the season, separated by less than a point after 14 home and away rounds, although Eastern Hill has the upper hand having triumphed in their most recent encounter in round 11.
