After dominating most of the first three days of action the Imperial Lions struggled in the final session on day three to reach the close on 88-4 in their second innings, a lead of 179 over the Hollywoodbets Dolphins in their CSA four day clash at Kingsmead in Durban on Saturday.
Having resumed their innings after tea on 18-0, openers Joshua Richards (38) and Dominic Hendricks (36no) stretched their partnership to 50 runs before Ottneil Baartman started the Dolphins fight back.
In a 12 ball spell Baartman had Richards caught by Grant Roelofsen, and then Reeza Hendricks and Kagiso Rapulana both out LBW for ducks, reducing the visitors to 50-3.
Wiaan Mulder (8) was then pinned LBW by Daryn Dupavillon with the score 69-4, which left Hendricks and Ruan Haasbroek (6no) to see there side to the close.
With just one day left the match is on course for a draw, unless the Lions come out on day four looking for quick runs to send the Dolphins in as soon as possible.
Earlier in the day an important final wicket partnership saw the Dolphins reduce their deficit over the Lions to 91-runs with them all out in their first innings for 337.
After lunch the Dolphins resumed their first innings on 266-7, but were soon staring down the barrel on 291-9.
Thando Ntini (5) was caught by Hendricks off the bowling of Bjorn Fortuin and Dupavillon (20) was caught by Mulder off Tshepo Ntuli, putting them on the brink.
However the last pair of number 10 Baartman (23) and number 11 Odirile Modimokoane (25no) then rallied with a valiant 45-run last wicket stand to pick up some much needed runs for the hosts, before Baartman was caught by keeper Haasbroek off Lutho Sipamla.
Sipamla, 3-55, was the pick of the Lions bowlers while Mulder, 2-48, and Fortuin, 2-66, managed a couple of scalps each.
In the morning session the Dolphins started the day on 189-4 with Jason Smith (38) and Ruan de Swardt (59) taking their side over the 200 run mark and stretched their fifth wicket stand to 59 runs, before Smith was pinned LBW by Mulder with the score 216-5.
Eathan Bosch then only contributed four runs in a 40-run partnership with de Swardt, before Bosch was caught by Ntuli off the bowling of Sipamla, who then also trapped de Swardt LBW to reduce the Dolphins to 265-7.
Ntini and Dupavillon then took their side to the lunch break.
HOLLYWOODBETS DOLPHINS: Thamsanqa Khumalo, Grant Roelofsen, Marques Ackerman, Khaya Zondo, Jason Smith, Ruan de Swardt, Eathan Bosch, Odirile Modimokoane, Thando Ntini, Daryn Dupavillon, Ottneil Baartman
IMPERIAL LIONS: Joshua Richards, Dominic Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Kagiso Rapulana, Wiaan Mulder, Ruan Haasbroek, Bjorn Fortuin, Malusi Siboto, Lutho Sipamla, Tshepo Ntuli, Tladi Bokako
LATE STRIKES GIVE WARRIORS EDGE GOING INTO FINAL DAY
Three late wickets gave the Gbets Warriors the edge going into the final day of their CSA four day match against the Gbets Rocks in Gqeberha on Saturday as the visitors reached stumps on day three on 52-3 in their second innings, still needing 291-runs to win.
The Warriors were grateful for their tail that wagged during the day’s final session as they were eventually bowled all out in their second innings for 356, giving them a lead of 342 which was a stiff target for the visitors.
They however got off to a decent enough start as Pieter Malan (41) played some attacking strokes, as he shared in a 36-run opening stand with Isma-eel Gafieldien (4).
However Dane Paterson then swung the match back in his sides favour as he had both Gafieldien and Malan caught by keeper Tristan Stubbs, while night-watchman Zakhele Qwabe (5) was trapped LBW by Tsepo Ndwandwa with the days last ball, leaving the visitors in a spot of bother.
After tea the Warriors had picked up their innings on 274-6, with Stubbs (52) and Glenton Stuurman (35) stretching their seventh wicket partnership to 83, before three wickets for six runs saw both set batsmen fall and Tsepo Ndwandwa (1) as they slipped to 320-9.
Paterson (16no) and last man Mthiwekhaya Nabe (21) then combined for a valuable 36-run last wicket stand to set the Rocks a very difficult target to chase in the fourth innings.
In the post lunch session the Warriors resumed their second innings on 185-3, with Wihan Lubbe (102) and Diego Rosier (46) taking them over the 200 run mark, while Lubbe brought up a well deserved century.
Having extended their fourth wicket stand to 115-runs, the two set batsmen fell in quick succession as Lubbe was caught by Malan off the bowling of Stiaan van Zyl and Rosier was then caught by van Zyl off Shaun von Berg as the Warriors slipped to 213-5.
Tiaan van Vuuren (10) was then caught by Hlomla Hanabe off Kyle Abbot with the score on 231-6, before Stubbs and Stuurman (17no) combined to get the home side to tea without further trouble.
In the morning session the Warriors had started on 75-2, with Lubbe and Kyle Jacobs (19) extending their third wicket partnership to 44-runs before Jacobs became the sessions only wicket, trapped LBW by Hardus Viljoen with the score on 90-3.
Lubbe was then joined by Captain Rosier and they steered the Warriors confidently over the 100 and 150 run marks, with Lubbe bringing up a well deserved half century along the way.
GBETS WARRIORS: Wihan Lubbe, Matthew Breetzke, Lesiba Ngoepe, Kyle Jacobs, Diego Rosier, Tristan Stubbs, Mthiwekhaya Nabe, Tiaan van Vuuren, Glenton Stuurman, Dane Paterson, Tsepo Ndwandwa
GBETS ROCKS: Cebo Tshiki, Isma-eel Gafieldien, Pieter Malan, Stiaan van Zyl, Clyde Fortuin, Hlomla Hanabe, Ferisco Adams, Shaun von Berg, Hardus Viljoen, Kyle Abbot, Zakhele Qwabe
TITANS CRUISE TO VICTORY
The Momentum Multiply Titans made short work of their chase after tea, knocking over the 44-runs needed to win by eight wickets in their CSA four day game against the North West Dragons at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on Saturday.
The result ended within three days, as the Titans eased their way to 134-2 in their second innings to seal an easy win in the end.
After the Dragons batted first, scoring 147 all out, the Titans responded with 246 all out, before the Dragons were bowled all out for 231 shortly after lunch.
The Titans then resumed their second innings after tea on 89-2, and Heinrich Klaasen (71no) and Grant Mokoena (50no) made sure there would be no problems as they eased their side home.
In the post lunch session the Dragons resumed their second innings on 221-8, but Ndumiso Mvelase (2) was run out by Junior Dala and Jesse Albanie (2) was caught behind by keeper Klaasen off the bowling of Neil Brand, leaving Delano Potgieter unbeaten on 38, with them all out for 231.
This left the Titans with a small target of 133 to win the match, however two early wickets put the cat among the pigeons as the visitors slipped to 13-2.
Strike bowler Potgieter had opener Gihahn Cloete (6) caught by Albanie and had Brand (6) caught behind by keeper Nicky van den Bergh to give the hosts a small chance.
However Mokoena and Klaasen soon shut that door with an unbeaten 76-run third wicket stand which took their side to tea on the verge of victory.
In the morning session two late wickets on the stroke of lunch halted a valiant fight back from the Dragons putting the Titans back on top.
The Dragons were fighting to set a target their bowlers could try and defend with an impressive Heino Kuhn (119) century being backed up by decent middle order contributions, but the wicket of Kuhn and two late wickets before lunch swung the match fully back in the Titans favour.
The home side resumed their second innings in the morning on 102-4, with Kuhn and Senuran Muthusamy (22) extending their fifth wicket stand to 87-runs when Muthusamy was pinned LBW by Corbin Bosch with the score 138-5.
Potgieter then joined Kuhn and they combined to add 46-runs to the score, with Kuhn bringing up his century along the way, before he was bowled by Aya Gqamane.
Nono Pongolo (21) and Potgieter then looked to be taking their side to lunch having moved over the 200 run mark, only for Pongolo to be caught by Jordan Hermaan off the bowling of Simon Harmer and Duan Jansen (1) to be caught behind by Klaasen off Brand to reduce them to 221-8.
NORTH WEST DRAGONS: Lesego Senokwane, Wesley Marshall, Shaylen Pillay, Heino Kuhn, Nicky van den Bergh, Senuran Muthusamy, Delano Potgieter, Nono Pongolo, Duan Jansen, Jesse Albanie, Ndumiso Mvelase
MOMENTUM MULTIPLY TITANS: Gihahn Cloete, Ayabulela Gqamane, Simon Harmer, Corbin Bosch, Grant Mokoena, Sibonelo Makhanya, Junior Dala, Neil Brand, Jordan Hermann, Heinrich Klaasen, Lizaad Williams
WESTERN PROVINCE FRUSTRATED BY POOR WEATHER
Six Gun Grill Western Province were left frustrated by the poor weather that saw the entire third day washed out in their CSA four day encounter against the ITEC Knights at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
The visitors were well in control of the match at stumps on day two with the Knights on 190/5 in their first innings, trailing Western Province’s monster first innings score of 501-6 declared by 311 runs.
However the hosts were given a boost by the inclement weather that has now given them a great chance of salvaging a draw from the game.
If no further bad weather plays a part the Knights will resume their innings on the fourth morning with Patrick Botha (13no) and Wandile Makwetu (1no) looking to eat into the massive deficit.
ITEC KNIGHTS: Matthew Kleinveldt, Jacques Snyman, Nathan Roux, Wandile Makwetu, Pite van Biljon, Farhaan Behardien, Patrick Botha, Gerald Coetzee, Alfred Mothoa, Nealan van Heerden, Mbulelo Budaza
SIX GUN GRILL WESTERN PROVINCE: Gavin Kaplan, Daniel Smith, Tony de Zorzi, Yaseen Vallie, David Bedingham, Jonathan Bird, Basheeru-Deen Walters, Kyle Simmonds, Mihlali Mpongwana, Tshepo Moreki, Beuran Hendricks
GAME IN THE BALANCE IN PIETERMARITZBURG
The match is in the balance at Pietermaritzburg Oval where Tuskers host Six Gun Grill South Western Districts. Bad light stopped play late on Saturday afternoon. Yaseen Valli (57*) and Andre Malan (59*) were at the crease for South Western Districts when play was called off.
The Tuskers duo of Delpot and Dithole added a mere 14 runs to their overnight partnership. Dithole was dismissed for 91. Delport’s ton, 119, kept Tuskers in the game.
Tuskers were bowled out for 332 in their reply to South Western Districts’ first innings score of 315.
Sam Whitehead was SWD's most successful bowler with 4 wickets.
SWD are on 135-1 at stumps.
Michael Erlank took Tuskers’ only wicket.
South Western District lead Tuskers by 118 runs with 9 wickets remaining
JONES SHINES, HEAT IN CONTROL
Evan Jones’ 128 runs from 132 balls put Northern Cape Heat in the driver’s seat at Willowmoore Park, Benoni, on Day 3 of the 4-Day encounter pitting Eastern Storm against Northern Cape Heat.
Heat declared on 332-6 after Gionne Koopman had taken Jones’ wicket, breaking his 175-run partnership with Hanu Viljoen (62*). Matthew Arnold was the most successful bowler for Storm in Heat’s second innings with 2 wickets.
Earlier in the day, Eastern Storm added 66 runs to their overnight score of 255. They were bowled out for 321 in their reply to Heat’s first innings score of 434-5. Benjamin van Rensburg and Aubrey Swanepoel took 3 wickets each for Northern Cape Heat.
Eastern Storm did not have a great start to their chase of the 446-run total that Heat set for them late on Day 3. Opener Musa Twala was dismissed for 18. Eastern Storm was on 28-1 at stumps, they need 418 runs to win with 9 wickets in hand.
Bad light stopped play.
NO PLAY AT UPLANDS COLLEGE
There was no play at Uplands College, White River, for the second consecutive day. Mpumalanga Rhinos and Limpopo Impalas did not take to the field on Day 3 of their 4-Day match because of a wet outfield.
On Day 1 Mpumalanga Rhinos were bowled out for 216. Limpopo Impalas are 82-2 in their first innings chase. Thomas Hobson (37*) and Malcolm Nofal (19*) are at the crease for Limpopo Impalas.