It was a rough afternoon at Kings Park for Eastern Hill as it was heavily defeated by Diggers Rest Bulla Village in the second round of Johnstone Shield action in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association.
Looking to rebound from a tight loss against Wallan the previous week, the Eagles bowled first as the visitors won the toss and elected to bat.
Openers Jake Reid and Bradley Fleming made a strong start for the Kookaburras, leading them to 0-44 before Reid was stumped off the bowling of Daniel O'Sullivan courtesy of the quick hands of wicket-keeper Dallas Bergowicz.
Fleming followed Reid back to the dressing rooms the next over, clean bowled by Tim Rudd Schmit for 16.
It was a case of one wicket not causing the loss of another one, but 10, as the rest of the Kookaburras line-up, except Dylan Caruana with 29 runs, was dismissed for less than 10 runs as the visitors were bowled out for 96 off 34.3 overs.
Daniel O'Sullivan (3-7), Tim Rudd-Schmidt (2-30) and Jake Wright (2-16) were the chief destroyers of the Kookaburras’ line-up.
However, these bowling performances were the highlight of the Eagles’ day.
Openers Brayden Speechley and Jake Wright put 17 on the board before Nathan Anderson sent Wright packing for nine runs.
Then, in incredible or horrific scenes, depending on whether you are a Kookaburras or Eagles supporter, the Eagles lost 5-6 as Daniel Rodger took four wickets in a matter of balls.
Benjamin Bryant, Seamus Feery, Matthew Collard, Ollie Bryant and Daniel O’Sullivan all fell via the brilliance of Rodger, who finished the game with 5-8 and etched his name into GDCA folklore with one of the most outstanding spells you are likely to see.
The Eagles were able to stem the wicket rate, but the run rate was all but dead as they were eventually bowled out for 45 after 35 overs.
It was a tough day for the Eagles, with the club’s reserves and Club Grade North team also losing.
In the reserves, Michael Brown, Hayden Szczykulski and Richard Grant led with the bat as the Eagles finished on 7-124.
Loose bowling and good batting meant Diggers Rest started and kept strong throughout its whole innings, cruising to a nine-wicket win.
After a shaky start for the Club Grade North team, Chris Russel steadied the ship with 48 off 43 balls to lead the Eagles to 91 all out.
Despite Michael McDowell getting an early wicket, Lancefield kept its composure to win by eight wickets.
In what is proving to be a bruising start to the season, the GDCA Eagles will look to take flight next week against East Sunbury at John McMahon Reserve, while the Club Grade North team will host Kilmore at Kings Park.