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Cape Town - The Eagles cantered to an 80-run victory over the Cape Cobras in their SuperSport Series clash at Newlands on Sunday.
The Cobras were set a target of 327 runs off 87 overs for victory but after an early loss of two wickets with only three runs on the scoreboard, the match always looked beyond them.
There was a stage after the tea break when the Cobras had a glimmer of hope as their No 8 batsman Rory Kleinveldt collared the Eagles attack. His 55-run cameo off only 33 balls included eight fours and three sixes.
Charl Pietersen (4-36), the Eagles' opening bowler, started the rot for Eagles when he captured the first three wickets to fall. He caused more damage later when he removed the dangerous Herschelle Gibbs (12, 3 x 4s), who was splendidly caught near the fine leg boundary by Obus Pienaar.
Apart from Kleinveldt the only other Cobras batsmen to end up among the runs were Stiaan van Zyl (85, 14x4s, 2x6s) and Justin Ontong (49, 6x4s).
At the start of play the Eagles resumed their over-night total of 320/6 (114 overs) with Reeza Hendricks (137 not out) and Pienaar (60 not out) at the crease.
Once Hendricks (151 not out, 13 x 4s) pass the 150-run mark the Eagles declared their innings closed at 355/7.
Andrew Puttick (0) and Alistair Gray (1) were back in the hut as Pietersen bagged the first of his four second innings sticks to cripple the Cobras' victory bid.
This victory is the Eagles' third after six matches, while the Cobras have yet to record a SuperSport Series win this season match after as many matches. The defeat, however, is their first this season as they have drawn all five their previous encounters.
