Sutherland batsman Jamie Brown continued his impressive form with an unbeaten 95 against Eastern Suburbs on Saturday.
Sutherland were bowled out for 343 at Waverley Oval on day one of the two-day, round four NSW Premier Cricket fixture and had the hosts 1-6 in reply at the close of play.
Easts skipper Ian Moran’s decision to send Sutherland in after he won the toss looked to be a good one with Sharks opener Jarryd Biviano dismissed without scoring in the first over.
Sutherland batsmen Tom Doyle (71) and captain Chris Williams (27) set about putting together a good total but, when Dan Rixon fell for 28 in his return from a hamstring injury, the game looked in the balance with Sutherland 5-177.
But Brown, fresh from sharing in a 234-run partnership with Williams and scoring a century against Campbelltown-Camden in his last innings, continued his excellent form in hitting nine boundaries and a six to finish five runs short of another ton.
Brown shared a 78-run sixth wicket stand with Peter Saroukos (54) to help edge Sutherland towards 350 before Tom Pinson (27) was the last man out in the 82nd over.
Jack Shantry fell for 4 in his Sutherland debut, with the Worcestershire left-armer trapped LBW by William Somerville.
Somerville (4-109) and Henry Thornton (4-60) did the bulk of the damage with the ball for Easts.
There was still time for Sutherland to make a strong start to the defence of their total, with paceman Kyle Brockley having Easts opener Adam Ezekiel caught behind by Biviano for 1 in the second over.
Shantry finished with 0-6 from his two overs.
Meanwhile, day one of St George’s two-day, round four clash with Western Suburbs at Hurstville Oval was washed out.
St George, winless in their opening three games of the new season, now face a 120-over game against the Magpies on Saturday.