WITH a single wicket standing and 72 more runs to get to avoid the follow-on, Easterns are in trouble in their second A section match – a week after losing to Northerns by 222 runs with a day to spare. In fact, the rain which prevented play until 1pm and the bad light which ended proceedings for the day 50 minutes after tea are perhaps the sole reasons this match will reach the fourth day, and there seems no way out for Easterns as they stare down both barrels still 221 runs adrift of Border’s 453/8 declared. The visitors resumed on 148-6 and dwindled to 171-8 before Dennis Smith and Anthony Botha shored them up with a ninth-wicket stand of 60. Smith was caught behind by Mark Boucher off Piet Botha for 48, but Botha is still there on a gritty 22 with number 11 Andre Nel yet to score. For the second time in two weeks Easterns have failed to come to terms with bowling of an A section standard and their batting will need to develop backbone quickly if they are not to endure a bruising debut season in the Supersport Series.Under the circumstances, less than usual should be read into the fact that most of the Border bowlers returned flattering figures. But the honours on the day went to West Indian import Vasbert Drakes, who was his bristling self in taking 4-79 off 21 overs.