Eastern Province edged the derby action against Border after four days of entertaining cricket at St George’s Park last week.
The Sunfoil 3-day match between the two rivals ended in a draw at the end of the third day’s play on Saturday, before EP claimed a tight three wicket win in Sunday’s CSA One Day competition clash to effectively edge the two game contest.
“I was happy with the way we played in the three day, but the one day was a bit of a setback,” said Border coach Frank Plaatjes.
The three day result was Border’s fourth draw out of six games so far this season, while it was EP’s third draw in five.
Border were on top for the first two days of play, giving them a great chance to win. However, EP came back on day three to force the draw.
Batting first EP were bowled for 144 and only reached that score thanks to number 10 batsman Ngazibini Sigwili, a former Border schools player, top scoring with a gritty 30.
Border’s Aya Gqamane, with 5\21, led the charge, while Phaphama Fojela with 3\23 and Thandolwethu Mnyaka, 2\47, also weighed in.
Border then scored 352/9 declared, with Christiaan Jonker top scoring with 79. However, almost all of the Border batsmen made cameos that helped the score keep ticking over during their innings.
Anrich Nortje claimed figures of 4\98, while EP debutant Lutho Sipamla picked up 2\51.
EP’s second innings was much better as they amassed 194/3 by the time play was called with Gihahn Cloete top scoring with 97 and David White hitting an unbeaten 55 to save the match.
“We need to be ruthless in our three day cricket,” said Plaatjes.
“This is the third match we have gotten ourselves into a winning position and not hammered home our advantage, so it is something we will be working on over the coming games.”
In the one day match a number of injuries saw Border field a very inexperienced side.
“We lost Jonker to a knee injury, Walters to a neck injury and Marais to an ankle injury and those are massive players for us in the one day game, but I was happy to see we still put up a fight,” said Plaatjes.
Batting first Border managed a below par 209 all out, mainly thanks to the experienced Darryl Brown who hit 85 off 97 balls (6x4; 3x6) while Bradley Williams (36) and Mncedisi Malika (21) also contributed with cameos.
EP’s Solo Nqweni 3/50 and Nortje with an economical 2/13 in eight overs, starred with the ball.
EP then struggled in their chase, but passed Border’s score with three wickets in hand and 18 balls remaining thanks mainly to a top score of 67 from Onke Nyaku and cameos from Tian Koekemoer (30) and Gihahn Cloete (28), while Border’s Sinovuyo Ntuntwana claimed an impressive 4/48 in a losing cause.
EP’s next match will start this Thursday against Kwa Zulu-Natal in Durban, while Border will only be in action again in February.
EP draw an okay result for Border
The Sunfoil 3-day match between the two rivals ended in a draw at the end of the third day’s play on Saturday, before EP claimed a tight three wicket win in Sunday’s CSA One Day competition clash to effectively edge the two game contest.
“I was happy with the way we played in the three day, but the one day was a bit of a setback,” said Border coach Frank Plaatjes.
The three day result was Border’s fourth draw out of six games so far this season, while it was EP’s third draw in five.
Border were on top for the first two days of play, giving them a great chance to win. However, EP came back on day three to force the draw.
Batting first EP were bowled for 144 and only reached that score thanks to number 10 batsman Ngazibini Sigwili, a former Border schools player, top scoring with a gritty 30.
Border’s Aya Gqamane, with 5\21, led the charge, while Phaphama Fojela with 3\23 and Thandolwethu Mnyaka, 2\47, also weighed in.
Border then scored 352/9 declared, with Christiaan Jonker top scoring with 79. However, almost all of the Border batsmen made cameos that helped the score keep ticking over during their innings.
Anrich Nortje claimed figures of 4\98, while EP debutant Lutho Sipamla picked up 2\51.
EP’s second innings was much better as they amassed 194/3 by the time play was called with Gihahn Cloete top scoring with 97 and David White hitting an unbeaten 55 to save the match.
“We need to be ruthless in our three day cricket,” said Plaatjes.
“This is the third match we have gotten ourselves into a winning position and not hammered home our advantage, so it is something we will be working on over the coming games.”
In the one day match a number of injuries saw Border field a very inexperienced side.
“We lost Jonker to a knee injury, Walters to a neck injury and Marais to an ankle injury and those are massive players for us in the one day game, but I was happy to see we still put up a fight,” said Plaatjes.
Batting first Border managed a below par 209 all out, mainly thanks to the experienced Darryl Brown who hit 85 off 97 balls (6x4; 3x6) while Bradley Williams (36) and Mncedisi Malika (21) also contributed with cameos.
EP’s Solo Nqweni 3/50 and Nortje with an economical 2/13 in eight overs, starred with the ball.
EP then struggled in their chase, but passed Border’s score with three wickets in hand and 18 balls remaining thanks mainly to a top score of 67 from Onke Nyaku and cameos from Tian Koekemoer (30) and Gihahn Cloete (28), while Border’s Sinovuyo Ntuntwana claimed an impressive 4/48 in a losing cause.
EP’s next match will start this Thursday against Kwa Zulu-Natal in Durban, while Border will only be in action again in February.
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