EP side through to Rural Week
EASTERN Province Rural cemented their place in the CSA Rural Week when they beat Boland East by two wickets in Worcester at the weekend.
The Rural Week will take place in Limpopo from February 19 to 24.
Batting first, Boland were bowled out for 213, Vivian Richards top-scoring with 77 and William Abraham contributing 52. EP offspinner Marquin Loutz impressed in taking 4/33 in his 10 overs. He was well supported by Athi Kotta (2/44).
EP made a solid start in their reply but then lost a flurry of wickets through poor shot selection.
Francois van Rooyen (43), Mtunzi Antoni (39) and Kotta (34 not out) restored stability to the innings.
Aviwe Sentwa (22) and Thando Ngcete (22) also contributed to ensure victory for the Eastern Cape side.
Abraham (4/19) and Simon Jacobs (2/26) were the best bowlers for the home side.
SOUTHWELL, Station Hill and Early Birds recorded impressive wins in the Grahamstown Cricket Board leagues last weekend.
Southwell beat Salem, who are top of the first league standings, while Station Hill beat Port Alfred seconds and Early Birds defeated Salem seconds.
Salem scored 203/7 against Southwell in a match reduced to 44 overs.
Nicholas Zimmerman hit a fine 49, while John Rennie (44) and Buster Brotherton (37) provided solid backup. Andrew Bowker (2/12) and Johan du Preez (3/25) led the Southwell attack.
Bowker (77) ensured a solid start for Southwell with the bat, supported by Dylan Kruger (33) and Kevin Bennet (31) as they reached 204/6 in 41.2 overs.
In their clash with Port Alfred, Station Hill were dismissed for 199, the major contributions coming from Joy Afrika (43), Alrico Hilpert (33), Franklin Jacobs (29) and Keanen Arends (23).
Their attack then excelled to bowl Port Alfred out for 140. Franklin Jacobs took five wickets. Alvin Marney took three for Hill.
Summarised scores: Early Birds 167/4 (Devante Sias 115no, Matt Liesenberg 1/39, Ross Pittaway 1/39); Salem 2nd 107 (Mike Mattison 21, Patrick Buthi 15, Devante Sias 5 wkts, Rasta Majajambo 3 wkts). Early Birds won by 60 runs ý Latest logs: GCB 1st league: Salem 17 (6), Cuylerville 16 (5), Sidbury 15 (6), Southwell 15 (4), Willows 14 (4), Manley Flats 10 (3), Port Alfred 8 (5), Makana Sona 5 (5), Rhodes 2 (5) Bathurst 1st league: Southwell 17 (4), Manley Flats 14 (5), Cuylerville 17 (5), Port Alfred 10 (4), St Andrews 5 (3), Station Hill 1 (5) Central Albany 1st league: Salem 20 (4), Makana Sona 9 (5), Willows 6 (3), Kingswood 4 (2), Sidbury 4 (2 ), Kenton 0 (1) GCB 2nd league: Rainbows 40 (10), Shrews 31 (7), Cuylerville 33 (8), Station Hill 28 (7), Kenton 26 (8), Salem 25 (9), Southwell 18 (7), Sidbury 17 (8), Manley Flats 11 (8), Tiger Titans 11 (8), Port Alfred 5 (9), Early Birds 5 (9)