With the Eagles having the bye in the upcoming last round, it was imperative for them to defeat Strathfield and consolidate a position the Qualifying Finals in three weeks’ time.
The Eagles started day two of the match on 1-35 in pursuit of the Strathfield’s 162.
In hot, steamy conditions – perfect for batting – the Eagles batsmen Asad Usman and Gihan Ebert batted solidly against some tight accurate bowling, to take the score to 83 before Usman was dismissed for a well put together 42, taking the Eagles total to 2-83.
Not long after, Ebert who was batting patiently, was unfortunately run out for 44, with Eagles on 3-111, leaving them just 51 runs behind Strathfield’s 162, with seven wickets in hand.
The Eagles were in a strong position to win the match and secure a spot in the Qualifying Finals however, proving the theory that the game is never over until the last ball is bowled, disaster struck the Eagles when wickets started to fall and the team lost seven wickets for just 28, to be all out for 139 runs, and 23 runs short of victory.
While it was disappointing end to the season for first grade, the Eagles’ second, third, fourth and fifth grade teams, and the Green team in the Chappelow Cup Competition, are on track to make the Qualifying Finals.
Lower grade results: Second grade, Auburn 133, 6-168 (Z Jadoon 57, I Tariq 55) d Strathfield 43, 122 (M Azzimi 2-25, N Azzimi 2-20, T Mudiyansela 2-11); Third grade, Auburn 171 d Strathfield 126 (A Hadley 5-45, A Kansara 2-31, S Bridges 2-21); Fourth grade, Auburn 77, 5-50 lost Strathfield 149; Fifth Grade, Auburn 94 (M Meurling 34, A Wijedesa 22) d Northwest Sydney 53 (R Ebert 4-5, A Haider 2-11); Chappelow Cup, Auburn Green 207 d Auburn Eagles 112.
First grade Eagles fall off perch
A DISAPPOINTING loss in the Sydney Shires Cricket competition has dashed the hopes of the Auburn Eagles first grade team.