CRICKET – South Western Districts took on a strong Gauteng side in a Sunfoil 3-Day Cup Cross Pool encounter at the Recreation Ground in Oudtshoorn.
SWD captain, Sammy-Joe Avontuur, won the toss on Thursday morning and put the visitors in to bat.
Openers Yassar Cook and former SA /19 player Yaseen Vali, put on an opening stand of 63 before Cook was run out for 33. This sparked a batting collapse as Gauteng were reduced to 77/6.
Wicketkeeper, Sizwe Masondo [87] and Nono Pongolo [37] added 116 for the 7’th wicket before SWD wrapped up the tail. Gauteng were dismissed for 211.
Glenton Stuurman and Gurshwin Rabie both bagged 3 wickets and Marcello Piedt, 2.
Neil Hornbuckle [42], Hanno Kotze [17] and Luthando Mnyanda [22] got the home side’s reply off to a solid start.
SWD were 32/1 at stumps on Day 1.
However, when Avontuur was dismissed for a duck, SWD found themselves in a tricky situation at 83/4.
Brendon Louw and Chris Marrow steadied the ship with a partnership of 99 for the 5’th wicket, but after their dismissal SWD collapsed to 252 all out.
Louw [103] registered his second first-class century and Marrow [35] provided valuable support. The two enabled SWD to post a handy first inning lead of 41.
Cook and Valli saw Gauteng through to the close of play on Day 2 on 30/0.
On Saturday the SWD seam attack of Rabie [3/27], Stuurman [2/30], Siyabonga Booi [2/35] and Piedt [3/49] bundled the visitors out for 146, leaving the home side requiring only 106 for victory.
Although Hornbuckle [18] and Mnyanda [2] went cheaply, Hanno Kotze’s blistering 65 off 66 balls sealed an emphatic 8-wicket win for the home side. Avontuur finished unbeaten on 15.
Points – South Western Districts 17.04, Gauteng 6.22
