Heavy rain and a wet outfield meant that no play was possible on the final day of the Sunfoil Series clash between the WSB Cape Cobras and the VKB Knights at the Recreation Ground in Oudtshoorn on Monday.
The inclement weather was around well before the start of day four leaving umpires Shaun George and Arno Jacobs little choice in their decision. Almost the entire final session was lost on day three when the visitors had just begun their second innings and reached three without loss, a lead of 45.
Rudi Second hit an unbeaten double century for the Knights who made 489/5 declared after they won the toss and elected to bat first. The right-hander made a sparkling 203 (231 balls, 30 fours) and shared a fifth-wicket stand to 156 with Werner Coetsee, who made 62 (101 balls, 10 fours). Grant Mokoena made 56 (80 balls, 6 fours, 1 six) and shared in a second-wicket stand of 98 with captain Pite van Biljon (56 off 117 balls, 5 fours).
Justin Ontong (64 off 92 balls, 9 fours) and Aviwe Mgijima (63 off 92 balls, 7 fours, 1 six) put on 109 for the fourth wicket and half-centuries by Kyle Verreynne and Dane Piedt ensured that the two sides were even poised after the third day. The pair put on 105-runs for the seventh wicket to ensure the hosts closed to within 42 of the visitors’ 489 for five declared when they were bowled out for 447.
The Cobras had resumed the third morning on 281 for five, with Verreynne going on to make 85 (170 balls, 6 fours) – his highest score in franchise cricket. Piedt, meanwhile, made 62 (120 balls, 8 fours) to help close the gap further between the two sides. They were eventually dismissed in 129.2 overs with Ottniel Baartman picking up three for 79 and Marchant de Lange, in his first game of the season, bagging three for 95.
