Easts set sights on decade of success

A decade of dominance is within reach after Eastern Suburbs won its ninth straight Pearce Cup title.

The eight-wicket win over Karori on Saturday was completed within one day and one session of the three-day final at Barton Oval.

Karori mustered just 137 runs in two innings, leaving Easts with a simple second innings chase of 26.

Easts captain Lance Dry, 34, who has been at the helm for all nine trophies, was a proud man after his mostly youthful team completely outplayed top qualifiers Karori.

"We had six guys 21 or under," Dry said.

"The character they showed is going to stand us in good stead for the future of the club. To be able to topple them in what ended up being a pretty emphatic victory is great."

For the second year in succession, Easts' seamer Ricky Joseph was the star of the final, taking 6-14 from 13 overs in Karori's first innings.

"People can't carry on ignoring those sort of performances," Dry said.

"That's what you want, in big matches like that, to step up. He's proven it wasn't a fluke, 6-14 off 13 overs was remarkable. He was unplayable just about.

"He's not quick or anything but gee, he swings it and he has it on a string."

But Joseph wasn't the only hero as fellow opening bowler Nathan Cameron took a match haul of 7-49 while Dry scored 44 and claimed 3-21 with his leggies.

Dry said he wasn't aware of any other premier cricket club in New Zealand achieving such a sustained run of success.

"It is remarkable and it's amazing that we managed to keep it going. We've got 10 in our sights now so a decade of winning would be phenomenal really."

Meanwhile, Collegians will play in the Pearce Cup next season after the Hazlett Trophy final ended in a draw yesterday.

Top qualifiers Collegians were well on top of the three-day final against Petone-Riverside at Karori Park when rain stopped play.

- © Fairfax NZ News