De Sa wary of Arrows
League derby more important than next week’s Cup fixture
DARRYN POLLOCK
AFTER the highs of Wednesday, when the Dolphins climbed to the top of the One-Day Cup log with an emphatic bonuspoint win over the Knights in Bloemfontein, their loss last night to the Warriors in Port Elizabeth would have been a huge anti-climax.
Chasing down a substantial target of 274 set by the Warriors, the Dolphins lost wickets at regular intervals, with no one getting going past the 30s.
The visitors were eventually tumbled all out in the 35th over, falling 130 runs short of their target as they ended on 144.
There was not much shine in any aspect of the Dolphins’ game as up front their bowlers let them down again, the pacemen going for just under six runs an over.
Their spin options, so successful in their last match, were even more costly. Only the medium pace of Sibs Makhanya managed a respectable return of 1-36 in 10 overs.
Colin Ingram was the destroyer-in-chief for the Warriors, striking a 112-ball century, while Colin Ackermann picked up a half-century.
When the Dolphins took up the chase, their opening pair of Vaughn van Jaarsveld and Morné van Wyk went about things in a hurry, but it soon led to Van Jaarsveld’s demise for 8. The former captain followed for 36 off 25 balls, in the top score in the Dolphins’ innings.
Contributions from Khaya Zondo (32) and Makhanya (20) were not enough, and each of the Warriors’ seven bowlers picked up at least one stick apiece.
Dolphins tackle the Cobras in Paarl next Wednesday in their third away game in a row before returning home for a replay of their match against the Warriors the following Friday.
The Dolphins still top the log, with 13 points, three ahead of the Titans, but they have played two games more than the second-placed team and one game more than the Warriors, who are also on 10 points and in third spot.
FIRST take care of the bread and butter issues and then tackle the dessert. That’s the approach Maritzburg United have adopted as they aim to focus fully on league matters against Golden Arrows tonight, before considering next weekend’s clash against their neighbours in the Nedbank Cup.
Playing the Absa Premiership match before the cup outing suits the Midlands outfit perfectly, said Maritzburg chairman Farook Kadodia.
Having survived a brush with relegation last season, the Maritzburg boss is eager to see his team first secure vital league points before entertaining the cup.
If it was the other way round, they would risk potential injuries and suspensions to key players which could hamper their league aspirations. And without a league status there might not be any cup competition.
“The win against Free State Stars (their first in five outings) helped to release the pressure. Otherwise we might have fallen into the relegation bunfight again,” said Kadodia.
It was also a first win for coach Roger de Sa, who took charge mid-term. Coming ahead of this provincial derby against Arrows, the timing of the victory was perfect.
Confidence is at another level as the teams face off in a mid-table six-pointer.
“We need to show the same energy from the Stars game against Arrows,” added Kadodia.
“They fight until the end, as we saw in their last game (a come-from-behind 2-2 draw at Chippa United). They have done very well and we have to respect them.
“There’s a one point difference. In the first round we had to come from 2-0 down to draw with 10 men. The game had sparks of what we wanted. It doesn’t mean we have to fight, but it’s a derby, so it’s a naturally charged game.”
This will be De Sa’s first provincial derby, so as far he’s concerned it’s another challenge offering three points.
“It’s a tough one. I know there have been some tough games (between the teams) in the past.
There’ll be no difference this time again and I’m sure they’ll want to pummel us, they’ll come out flying as well and they’ll also want to achieve things, so it will be a very difficult game,” he said.
Maritzburg are pretty much at full strength, with striker Evans Rusike and winger Lebohang Maboe back to form with goals in the last outing.
For the home side it will be difficult to contain the Maritzburg attack, especially without their frontline midfielders who are injured.
Kagisho Dikgacoi and Nkanyiso Cele are out, and Vuyani Ntanga is doubtful.
However, Arrows’ own frontline of Kudakwashe Mahachi, Knox Mutizwa, and Chiukepo Msowoya (who returns from suspension), will ask plenty questions of Virgil Vries in the Maritzburg goal.
This will be the second derby of the day, following the Soweto thriller between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates in the afternoon.
The Limpopo derby between Polokwane City and Baroka rounds off the weekend matches tomorrow afternoon.
In the First Division, AmaZulu visit Mbombela United this afternoon searching for their first win of the year after three draws and a loss.
Today’s top local match sees third-placed Royal Eagles hosting second-bottom Santos at the Harry Gwala Stadium. In the only game tomorrow log leaders Thanda Royal Zulu tackle Mthatha Bucks in Richards Bay.