Impressive resurgence sees EP U19s secure two wins

A COMFORTABLE day at the office saw Eastern Province claim two thumping wins over Namibia and North West on day three of the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola week to continue their impressive resurgence.

After losing on the opening day, they have picked up three wins on the trot to head into their final two matches of the week in great form.

“Obviously we had to look at the processes of how we started on day one,” EP coach Andre du Plessis said.

“It was a big learning curve for us. We reflected on the performance and the boys knuckled down and stuck to their guns.

“Every game there has been one or two players who has stood out, but our captain Chris Benjamin has done really well from a leadership and contribution point of view on the field and off of it. We lost quick wickets up front against Namibia and were looking at it and thinking 110, 120 would be good, but then with Keenan and Tsotsa playing a good innings we got to 150 and I thought that was a defendable total on this wicket.

“We spoke last night about sharing responsibilities and that’s what the guys did on the field today, they backed each other and it was really a good team effort out there today.”

Other results yesterday saw Border, Western Province, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal Inland and Boland pick up two wins each in their matches, while KwaZulu-Natal and Northerns managed one win each, with the rest of the teams losing both games.

Play shifts to 50-over cricket today, with EP taking on Free State at the Soweto Oval.