For a second consecutive weekend, SWD’s Sunfoil Cup Three Day match did not produce. The match that was played at the Recreation Ground in Oudtshoorn between the home team and Free State ended in a draw on Saturday.
Free State, who batted first, posted 314 in their first innings with Diego Rosier (118) and the captain Pat Botha (50) the top scorers. Marcello Piedt (3/47) and Bailey Aarons (3/32) were SWD’s main wicket takers. In their first innings, SWD replied with the exact total (314 all out), with Obus Pienaar (139*; 243 balls, 1×6, 8×4) who scored a second consecutive unbeaten ton the main contributor with the bat. Pienaar and Hanno Kotze (59; 82 balls, 10×4) shared a 133 runs partnership for the 6th wicket. For Free State Pat Botha (3/21), Corne Dry (2/47) and Beyers Swanepoel (2/54) were the pick of the bowlers.
SWD had a sniff of an opportunity to clinch the match when they had Free State in trouble at 29/4 in their second innings but a 176 runs 5th wicket partnership between Andries Gous (115) and Romano Terblanche (100*) took the game away from SWD. Free State declared their second innings at tea time on the final day at 241/6 where after the two captains shook hands. Piedt (2/34) was SWD’s most successful bowler.
With SWD’s Three Day campaign that reached the half-way stage Obus Pienaar is by far the most impressive performer. After seven innings’ he scored an aggregate of 410 runs at an average of 136.66 with two centuries and two half-centuries. As a part time spinner, he also took 13 wickets, three less than Glenton Stuurman (16 – at an average of 19.50).
