WP edge out neighbours Rocks in Newlands thriller

Yaseen Vallie’s maiden List A century powered Six Gun Grill Western Province to a thrilling 17-run victory over Gbets Rocks in the Western Cape derby at Six Gun Grill Newlands on Friday evening.

Vallie’s 102 off 109 balls (7x4) helped WP post 300 for eight before the bowlers dismissed their neighbours for 283 in 48.4 overs.

The Paarl-based side began their chase in a positive manner with a 97-run opening stand between Ruan Terblanche and Stiaan van Zyl.

Former Proteas test batter Van Zyl was in supreme form in his return to Newlands with a sublime 66 off 52 balls (10x4) before he was the first Rocks’ wicket to fall.

Opening partner Terblanche faced the same amount of balls, but only managed 28.

The Rocks will rue the fact that all their batters got starts, but nobody could match Vallie’s innings in terms of taking it all the way through.

That responsibility was on captain Pieter Malan’s shoulders and he seemed on track on 33 before leg-break bowler Junaid Dawood claimed the big scalp of the night when he trapped the skipper LBW.

SA under-19 youngsters Valentine Kitme and Michael Copeland fought valiantly with 24 and 42 respectively, but ultimately there was too much to do for the lower order.

The hosts wrapped up the game through all-rounder Mihlali Mpongwana, who claimed the final two wickets to ensure WP remained in the race for the playoffs.

SMITH JUST MISSES OUT

Earlier, WP opener Jonathan Bird launched WP’s innings with a rapid 39 off 47 balls with Richard Levi striking a more sedate 18.

Captain Tony de Zorzi also showed promise with 23 off 31 balls before he pulled a short ball from Ferisco Adams straight to short mid-wicket.

Vallie finally found a settled partner in young Daniel Smith. The classy youngster put together a 65-run partnership with Vallie with the 20-year-old utilising the reverse-sweep and orthodox sweep to good effect.

He was particularly good against left-arm spinner Siyabonga Mahima, striking three boundaries in one over that forced the Rocks captain to haul him out of the attack.

Unfortunately Smith could not post a third consecutive half-century as he holed out to Valentine Kitme off Ferisco Adams for another high-quality 39 off just 44 balls (6x4).

Province maintained the impetus during the latter stages of their innings through Gavin Kaplan, with the right-hander also striking a positive 26-ball 38 (2x4, 2x6).

Ferisco Adams was the Rocks’ most successful bowler with figures of 4-54.

WESTERN PROVINCE: Jonathan Bird, Richard Levi, Tony De Zorzi (capt), Yaseen Vallie, Daniel Smith, Gavin Kaplan, Mihlali Mpongwana, Kyle Simmonds, Tshepo Moreki, Basheer Walters, Junaid Dawood.

GBETS ROCKS: Pieter Malan (capt), Stiaan van Zyl, Janneman Malan, Ruan Terblanche, Clyde Fortuin, Hardus Viljoen, Michael Copeland, Ferisco Adams, Siyabonga Mahima, Zakhele Qwabe, Achille Cloete.