Batting first, the Easts opening pair of Cody Graham and Ian Ranger delivered a solid start with a 71-run partnership. 

Captain Todd Francis chipped in with 35 but Luke Uphill earned the praise from his skipper.

“Luke Uphill batted really well for us,” Francis said. 

“We had a bit of a collapse in the middle, I think we might have lost 4-4 at one stage. Ian Ranger and Cody got us off to a good start and then things went a bit south after that but Luke did a tremendous job in the middle.” 

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Dick Heagney managed three wickets for Hillgrove, Liam Neeson, Max Alcorn and Josh Croft took two as Easts finished with 9-197. 

Easts opening bowling partnership of Brandon Burey and Sam Uphill got their side off to a perfect start with Hillgrove struggling at 4-13. 

Brad King, Sam Sewell Heagney and Alcorn tried to steady things in the middle of the order but the Easts bowlers kept claiming wickets and finished off Hillgrove for 105.

“As we have done for most of the year, our bowlers kept us in it,” Francis said. 

“We took a couple of good wickets early which is always good and then things just flowed on from there really.”

Francis said across the park all his side contributed. 

“One bloke does it and then others chip in around and it makes the job easier,” he said. 

“That is what we have been doing most of the year, everyone contributing which was good, we don't have to rely on just one person.”

The other thing which impressed the skipper was the lower graders who stepped up to fill in for the handful of regulars who were out. 

“We ended up missing three players out of our first grade side so we have plenty to come back in. [Fighting for top grade spots] is what you want for your club which was where we were getting back to last year with our lower grades,” Francis said.