Eastern Suburbs gained the upper hand over Naenae Old Boys on the first day’s play of the three-day Wilkinson Pearce Cup final at the Hawkins Basin Reserve on Friday.

Winning the toss and bowling first, Easts dismissed Naenae for 187 in 60 overs and then cruised to 84 for 1 at stumps - a first innings deficit for Easts of 103 with nine first innings wickets in hand.

Naenae skipper Marc Calkin comes to the crease to join Ronald Karaitiana, with the score on 72 for 4. Calkin made 27, while Karaitiana finished unbeaten on 65.

Needing to win outright, Naenae have a big day ahead of them on Saturday.

The first day of the final, played under bright blue skies, was delayed for half an hour at the start due to a dewy outfield. But once underway, Easts chipped out Naenae’s openers to leave them 26 for 2.

Ronald Karaitiana aside, the rest of the Naenae batsmen all got starts but none could push on. Phil Tunnicliffe (25) and BJ Crook (17) took the score to 71, before Crook and then Tunnicliffe were removed in quick succession and  Naenae limped 94 for 4 at lunch. Opening bowlers Michael Burns (3 wickets) and Ricky Joseph (1) struck the blows.

Post lunch, Karaitiana and skipper Marc Calkin carried the innings to 129 before Nathan Cameron grabbed the first of his three wickets in dismissing Calkin for 27. Cameron Cross (14) and Karaitiana steadied the ship for a short while before Cross and Adam Williams became Cameron’s second and third victims.

At 166 for 7, Easts captain Lance Dry brought himself on to bowl and he quickly mopped up the tail, also claiming three wickets.

Karaitiana was left stranded on 65 not out. He faced 111 balls and batted for 161 minutes.

Karaitiana concentrating hard at the crease, with Easts wicketkeeper Chamika Gajanayka proping for an opportunity

Karaitiana then struck early in Easts’ innings, removing dangerman Josh Brodie for just a single.

But opener Ben Orton (45 not out) and first drop Niranjan Naguleswaran (24 not out) batted out the remainder of the day to put Easts in the box seat.