An impressive century from Aviwe Mgijima and a trio of half centuries helped the Gbets Rocks take charge of their CSA Four Day series match against Six Gun Grill Western Province, as they reached the close of play on day two on 338/5 in their first innings at Boland Park in Paarl on Thursday.
They trail Province’s first-innings total of 355 all out by just 17 runs now and should be able to pass it and take a decent lead during the morning session on day three.
Day two essentially belonged to the batsmen as Mgijima struck his fourth first-class century, before he was out for 105 off 186 balls (15x4; 2x6), and it was his superb 194-run fourth wicket partnership with captain Pieter Malan, who hit 94, that set the Rocks' innings up.
Michael Copeland (61no) and Shaun von Berg (57no) then ended the day brilliantly with an unbeaten 120-run sixth-wicket stand to put the Rocks into a position of power, which they will hope to capitalise on.
The final session of play began with the Rocks on 208/3, with Mgijima just a run short of his hundred, which he duly brought up before he was bowled by Kyle Simmonds with the score 214/4.
Clyde Fortuin (3) didn’t last long as he was caught by George Linde off Simmonds as they slipped to 218/5, but Copeland and Von Berg firmly took charge and powered their side to the close in style.
Earlier in the day in the post lunch session Mgijima and Malan resumed the Rocks' innings on 111/2 and they confidently batted their side over the 200-run mark, with both batters bringing up their half centuries along the way and entering the 90s.
With it looking like it would be a second successive wicketless session Province finally made the breakthrough when Malan was trapped LBW by Mihlali Mpongwana with the score 204/3, leaving Copeland to accompany Mgijima to the tea break.
In the morning session the Rocks resumed their first innings in a tricky position on 25/2 with Malan and Mgijima at the crease.
They started the day slowly, building their partnership nicely until picking up the scoring rate towards lunch as both batters struck some lovely shots, including a trio of sixes, as they reached the break in a confident mood.
SIX GUN GRILL WESTERN PROVINCE: Eddie Moore, Jonathan Bird, Daniel Smith (wk), Yaseen Vallie, Valentine Kitime, George Linde, Kyle Simmonds, Mihlali Mpongwana, Beuran Hendricks (capt), Dane Paterson, Mthiwekhaya Nabe
GBETS ROCKS: Janneman Malan, Pieter Malan (capt), Stiaan van Zyl, Clyde Fortuin (wk), Aviwe Mgijima, Ferisco Adams, Shaun von Berg, Hardus Viljoen, Siyabonga Mahima, Glenton Stuurman, Achille Cloete