The Eagles virtually made sure of a Supersport Series semifinal place as they nearly beat the Lions in three days at Sedgars Park on Saturday.
With a day to go, the Lions — after being forced to follow-on — trail by six runs with three second innings wickets in hand.
Starting day three at 104 for three, the Lions squandered the good start to be bowled out for 190 as the middle order collapsed.
The Eagles’ bowlers shared the wickets with the young Thandi Tshabalala, picking up three with his right arm off breaks. Johannes van der Wath was unfortunate to pick up a muscle injury in his 10th over and might not take any further part in this match.
Forced to follow-on, the innings started in the worst possible way with William Motaung caught with the second ball of the innings and Adam Bacher bowled for six.
Justin Ontong and Vaughn van Jaarsveld then put on 115 with both batsmen scoring fifties but then losing their wickets. Neil McKenzie showed signs of some return to form but also fell soon after going to his 50.
At 160 for four, the Lions appeared to be taking the game well into day four, but the loss of a further three wickets saw them hang on for dear life as the light deteriorated. Tshabalala again the thorn in the Lions’ flesh as he picked up his second three-wicket haul of the match.
Werner Coetsee and David Terbrugge will resume on Sunday with the Lions on 222 for seven, needing six runs to avoid an embarrassing innings defeat. — Sapa