Eagles flip the script to unseat reigning premier Waaia

Waaia’s Jordan and Mitch Cleeland resumed their chase of the Eagles’ score of 146 runs at 3-46, safely navigating the early stages of day two with a 24-run partnership.

But five overs into the day all hell broke loose as the Eagles broke the back of the Waaia batting line-up.

Corey Hickford broke the partnership with the wicket of Mitch Cleeland for seven, joined by his brother five deliveries later, with Grant Hutchins rattling the stumps of Jordan Cleeland and ending his vigil at 35.

Hickford made it a hat-trick of wicket-taking overs when he had Brenton Low caught for a duck, the collapse of 3-0 leaving the Bombers in a tail-spin at 6-65.

Bailey Smith (18 runs) provided some late resistance, but the introduction of Joel Beaumont into the bowling attack paid dividends, with the Eagles’ seamer barrelling through the tail, claiming 3-4 off four overs to dismiss Waaia for 92.

The Eagles had another go with the bat with ample time to play, but despite skipper Ben Pedretti cracking 76 runs, both sides eventually opted to shake hands.

Katandra remains two games out of the six in , but with Shepparton Youth Club United and Pine Lodge waiting after the break, the Eagles will be hoping for a few more wins on the board to really make a charge.

Meanwhile, the Bombers’ defeat leaves the defending champions outside the top six over the break, but with the ladder in a logjam, Waaia is far from a spent force.