Rocks trump Warriors by five wickets in Paarl
A stunning bowling performance coupled with patient batting by the Rocks saw them inflict a second defeat of the season on the Dafabet Warriors, this time by five wickets in their CSA T20 Challenge clash in Paarl yesterday.
Smart bowling decisions by home skipper Clyde Fortuin saw the Gqeberha side struggle to get going on a slow wicket as they laboured to 127/8 in their 20 overs.
In chasing down their modest 128-run victory target, Keegan Petersen hit 33 runs from 32 balls including two fours and a six while 29 runs by Shaun von Berg and Aviwe Mgijima respectively saw the home side to a fine victory at Boland Park.
Beyers Swanepoel struck with his second ball of the innings to get rid of Aiden du Toit, but Von Berg and Fortuin broke the back of the chase with 54 runs for the second wicket.
Siya Simetu struck twice in two overs as he removed Fortuin for 21 and then Von Berg in his next over.
Petersen rectified proceedings for his side, sharing 62 runs with Mgijima as the pair took their side to the brink of victory.
Alfred Mothoa sent Mgijima back to the dugout before Swanepoel claimed his second with the dismissal of Petersen, but it was too little, too late for the visitors.
Earlier in the day, visiting skipper Matthew Breetzke top scored with 48 runs from 34 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes, while Jordan Hermann, (26), JP King (20) and Sinethemba Qeshile (13) were the only other batsmen to reach double figures in the first innings.
Part-time spinner Christiaan Jonker, alongside his more experienced spin bowling colleague Siyabonga Mahima claimed four wickets for 42 runs from a combined six overs, while Ferisco Adams, playing in his 100th T20 match, was one of four bowlers to claim one wicket each.
Jonker grabbed the crucial wickets of Hermann and Andile Mokgakane (0), while Mahima removed Breetkze and Swanepoel (6) as the Warriors had little answer to the Rocks’ spin attack.
The win saw the Warriors remain top of the standings with 39 points.
However, their lead over the DP World Lions was reduced to four points after the Johannesburg side beat the North West Dragons by 10 wickets.
The win for the Rocks means they move four points clear of the Tuskers with 15 points.