The local rivals are neck-and-neck for a win in their two-day match.

Saturday’s opening day saw Easts win the toss and elect to bat at Bellevue Oval. 

For the batting side, there was no standout performers but their lineup managed runs on the board. 

The scorecard for the top seven read 21, 16, 18, 24, 26, 38 and 35 as Easts went on to make 202.

“No one really took it and made a big score but everyone chipped in with 20s and 30s which made up to that 200-mark, which we didn't feel was too bad because the outfield was pretty slow,” Easts captain Todd Francis said. 

“I still reckon the game is 50-50 where it is at but we have a chance of bowling to it which is all we can ask from our players.” 

Francis counterpart, Hillgrove skipper Matt Schaefer, said it was a “long day” out in the field.

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He agreed it was anyone’s game for the taking. 

“The outfield was a bit slow so it wasn't really conducive to scoring but I thought our boys bowled really well, probably without luck to be fair,” Schaefer said. 

“We put down a couple of catches, otherwise I thought the guys performed really well. 

“I have spoken to a couple of people about it and it is probably pretty evenly poised at this point.”

Max Laurie was Hillgrove’s leading wicket taker with 4-29, while Andrew Currie was economical from his 20 overs at 3-48. 

Schaefer and Skinner picked up one each.

“If you have a look at their scorecard, the top seven batters all got 20-30 runs so if one of those guys had have gone on with it, there was a big chance we could have been chasing 300,” Schaefer said. 

“We bowled well in little partnership and strung a few maidens together as well.”

“Probably stand outs for us were Andrew Currie, he bowled 20-straight and got 3-48, that is a great effort for him.”

Hillgrove finished the day at 1-13.

“We lost Will Waterson for four but Crofty and I were able to see out the day so not too much damage done and a couple of guys coming back in this weekend should help as well,” Schaefer said. 

For Easts, they will welcome back their leading wicket taker Sam Uphill but suffered a blow with Jackson Gwynne falling victim to an injury on Saturday. 

“Uppy is back so that is handy but I think Jackson sustained an injury on Saturday so he is out, he is in a moon boot,” Francis said. 

“That hurts our bowling but we will just have to try and work it out as best we can.

“Brandon Burey and Tom Toshack are probably going to have to roll the over a bit.”