Half-centuries from Eddie Moore and Jonathan Bird propelled Six Gun Grill Western Province to a four-wicket victory over the Hollywoodbets Dolphins in their Cricket SA Division 1 clash at Newlands on Sunday.
Moore, who was playing his first List A match for his new province since moving to Cape Town from Gqeberha, anchored the run-chase with a composed 94 off 115 balls (5x4, 3x6).
The left-hander was particularly strong square of the wicket utilising the cut and pull shot to good effect, and also straight down the ground.
Province started their reply in positive fashion through the in-form Tony de Zorzi, who was fresh off a triple century at the same venue last week, as the left-hander struck a couple of sweetly-timed cover drives off Thando Ntini.
Unfortunately for De Zorzi that just when he seemed to be settling in at the crease, the left-hander cut uppishly and was caught at point for 32 off 44 balls (6x4).
Bird and Moore continued the momentum though with a solid 73-run partnership for the second wicket with the former reaching his half-century off 60 balls during that period.
Bird, however, could not capitalise any further as he was dismissed shortly afterwards when he chipped Prenelan Subrayen straight to Jason Smith at mid-off.
A straightforward chase became a lot more complicated for the home team after Bird’s demise though with Province losing four wickets for the addition of just 50 runs.
Yaseen Vallie (7), Daniel Smith (6) and George Linde (0) all fell during this period as the Dolphins clawed their way back into the contest.
Province’s task became even more complicated when Moore was struck on the ankle by a Dolphins throw while trying to steal a quick single.
To Moore’s credit, he battled through the pain hobbling on one leg in a bid to take his team over the line. Unable to move freely Moore threw caution to the wind and the positive approach yielded reward when the left-hander struck Dolphins centurion Bradley Porteous for two successive sixes in the penultimate over.
And although Porteous (2-23) managed to dismiss Moore off the next ball when he attempted another big shot, the back of the run chase was broken which allowed Mihlali Mpongwana (28 not out) to strike the winning runs in the final over.
Earlier, Porteous struck a brilliant 100 to rescue the Dolphins from a perilous position.
The 24-year-old arrived at the crease with the visitors deep in the quagmire at 24-5 after the WP new-ball bowlers once again showed their quality. The Dolphins eventually posted 229-9 in their allotted 50 overs.
Province left-arm seamer Nandre Burger (3-41) is arguably the most in-form seam bowler outside of the national squad at the moment, and he showed his quality by removing Tshepang Dithole for a duck within four balls of the innings.
Fellow left-armer Beuran Hendricks (2-23) chipped in with Grant Roelofsen’s wicket before Burger gained further success by sending Jon-Jon Smuts back to the pavilion.
The Dolphins lost two further wickets to Mihlali Mpongwana (2-20) when Jason Smith (7) and Andile Phehlukwayo (0) succumbed to the medium-pacer.
But that is when Porteous took centre stage. Fresh from taking the Dolphins home against the Paarl Rocks on Friday evening with an undefeated 33, the right-hander went about rebuilding the innings in methodical fashion.
He needed a partner though to stay with him if the Dolphins had any hope of a recovery, and found an ally in Corbin Bosch. The pair showed good application and were eventually able to reap the rewards as conditions became easier.
Porteous and Bosch put on 113 off 123 balls that eventually came to a close when the latter was dismissed for 45 off 48 balls (3x4, 1x6).
However, Porteous continued and received a warm round of applause from the Newlands faithful that came in on this sun-lit Cape Town Sunday when he reached his maiden List A century off 113 balls (11x4, 2x6).
Unfortunately for the Dolphins, Porteous was caught behind the next delivery off Hendricks.
The visitors, though, maintained their late innings momentum with captain Prenelan Subrayen (12* off 14 balls) and Thando Ntini (16* off 10 balls) ensuring they batted out their remaining overs.
SIX GUN GRILL WP: George Linde (Captain), Beuran Hendricks, Daniel Smith (wk), Eddie Moore, Jonathan Bird, Junaid Dawood, Mihlali Mpongwana, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Tshepo Moreki, Yaseen Vallie
HOLLYWOODBETS DOLPHINS: Grant Roelofson, Jon Jon Smuts, Tsephang Dithole, Bradley Porteous, Ruan de Swardt, Andile Phehlukwayo, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Thando Ntini, Prenelan Subrayen, Eathan Bosch.