23 Dec Rocks Secure Crucial Win To Keep 1Day Cup Final Hopes Alive
JOHANNESBURG: The Cricket South Africa (CSA) One Day Cup competition saw Gbets Rocks claim an all-important win against North West Dragons on Wednesday.
Rocks needed to win both their remaining matches to secure a spot in the One Day Cup final and the seven-wicket, bonus point victory against Dragons has put them one step closer.
The Paarl-based men will have all to play for against the Six Gun Grill Western Province on Friday, as the winner will advance to the final against DP World Lions.
Chasing 138 runs only, half centuries form Clyde Fortuin (63*) and Michael Copeland (53*) made for an easy chase.
Rocks reached the target in less than 23 overs, with the loss of three wickets; Janneman Malan fell to Senuran Muthusamy in the first ball of the innings before Eldred Hawken dismissed Valentime Kitime (5) and Leus du Plooy (14).
Earlier, the Dragons were put to the bat first when Shaun von Berg (3/19) and Imran Manack (3/25) continued to take wickets at regular intervals.
Lesego Senokwane (35) and Eldred Hawken (21*) provided some resistance and Dragons were restricted to 138 all out.
In Gqeberha, Tristan Stubbs and Diego Rosier centuries powered the Dafabet Warriors to a massive innings as the home-side were 348/5 at the end of their allotted 50 overs.
Stubbs (144) and Rosier (116) shared 259 runs for the second wicket before they fell to Malusi Siboto and Sisanda Magala, respectively.
In response, Lions were in trouble early on when they stumbled to 56/3 in the 11th over. But, centuries from Reeza Hendricks (113) and Wiaan Mulder (101) brought the game back for the visitors.
The pair combined for 195 runs for the fourth wicket before they fell a few deliveries apart.
Warriors continued to apply pressure, taking wickets regularly and the visitors struggled to form any further partnerships. Lions were bowled out for 298, suffering their first defeat in the competition and the hosts won the match by 50 runs.
Beyers Swanepoel was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts, returning 4/42, with the support of Akhona Mnyaka, who recorded 3/59 in 10 overs.
In Division 2, defending champions, AET Tuskers will host the CSA 1 Day Cup final after finishing first in Division 2 standings.
Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers secured a one-wicket, bonus point victory against Eastern Cape Iinyathi in Oudtshoorn to book their spot in the finals.
Mpumalanga Rhinos and Eastern Storm shared the spoils in Whiteriver, with the match abandoned without a ball bowled.
Meanwhile, in Polokwane, Northern Cape Heat secured a 65-run win against Limpopo Impalas.
Upcoming 1DayCup Fixtures: Friday, 23 December 2022
Division 1
13h00: GbetsRocks vs Six Gun Grill Western Province – Boland Park, Paarl
13h00: Hollywoodbets Dolphins vs DP World Lions – Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium, Durban
10h00: ITEC Knights vs Momentum Multiply Titans – Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein
ENDS
Issued by: Cricket South Africa – Corporate Communications
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