Rudi Second s 171 not enough to save Warriors
A valiant 171 by Warriors batsman Rudi Second was not enough to carry the hosts to the finish as the Imperial Lions claimed a 76 run victory in their CSA Four Day Series clash at St George’s Park yesterday.
Second brought up his 19th first-class century in the 85th over as wickets fell around him.
He was a beacon of hope as he helped to carry the hosts past the previous highest fourth innings total of 380, in a match between the Warriors and the Cape Cobras in the 2018/2019 season.
The former Knights batsman spent 402 minutes at the crease, facing 246 balls for his 171, which included 15 fours and three sixes.
Starting the day, Second (76) and Lesiba Ngoepe (2) set about trying to make a dent in the 294 deficit they needed for an unlikely win against the defending champions.
The pair frustrated the Lions bowlers again as speedster Sisanda Magala, who took the first over with the new ball, went for 16 runs in the 81st over.
Together they put on 87 runs for the sixth wicket as Ngoepe brought up his 24th half century with a well-timed boundary in the 83rd over.
The left-hander was one of two Delano Potgieter victims after he was bowled just a few balls later, his 51 coming off 79 balls and including seven fours and a six, with the home side on 291 for the loss of six wickets.
Marco Jansen was the next man to the crease, but the lanky right-handed batsman lasted five deliveries without troubling the scorers before he was caught by Aaron Phangiso off Potgieter.
Former Cape Cobra Mthiwekhaya Nabe was the next wicket to fall as he was cleanbowled with his score on five in the 87th over.
Second was eventually sent back to the change rooms when his stumps were rattled by Malusi Siboto as the hosts passed the 400-run mark in the 106th over.
Basheer Walters was the last wicket to fall after a brief cameo that saw him score 17 in 26 deliveries, including two sixes.
Magala ended the match with figures of six for 137 in his 30 overs, while Potgieter chalked up five for 73 in his 28.1 overs.
Wiaan Mulder was named man of the match after scoring a first-innings 91 and backing it up with a century in the second to put his side in a commanding position.