Warriors fail in exciting run-chase
A DECLARATION by Knights skipper Rudi Second, setting the Warriors 256 at just over four runs to the over, was beautifully timed and led to an exceptionally nail-biting end to the game, with the Warriors finishing eight runs short when the umpires called time.
The four-day Sunfoil Series match at Buffalo Park was played in an excellent spirit throughout, and there is no doubt that the loss of a full day on Friday because of rain had a negative effect on the result.
With the Warriors at one stage looking to be cruising to a win, a magnificent spell of off-spin bowling by wily veteran Werner Coetsee – who took 6/71 in 24 overs and ripped open the struggling middle-order of the Warriors – stopped them virtually in their tracks and forced a draw.
For the Warriors, Eddie Moore (73) Gihahn Cloete (37) and Jon-Jon Smuts (41) kept the home team’s hopes alive. In the end, though, some defensive work from Simon Harmer (35 not out) saved the Warriors from outright defeat.
The Knights started the final day with a lead of 94 with seven wickets in hand, but the Warriors struck early when Rudi Second was neatly caught by Gionne Koopman for 16, after adding just two runs to his overnight score.
Then David Miller slashed wildly at fast bowler Anrich Nortje, the ball just eluded the slip cordon to rocket to the boundary and clatter into the boards. Miller continued in aggressive mood and then attempted a sweep shot against Harmer. The ball ballooned up off the toe of the bat and a diving Lesiba Ngoepe at a short cover position took a brilliant catch.
Patrick Kruger dropped anchor for a while and enjoyed some support from Ryan McLaren (20) and then Duanne Olivier made 27 not out. He went to his half-century off 81 balls (8x4) and was eventually out for an excellent 87 (107 balls, 15x4) on the stroke of lunch.
With the other four franchise teams locked in drawn matches, both the Warriors and Knights needed victory to head the Sunfoil log and possibly go on to win the coveted trophy. So there was little surprise when Second declared at the lunch score.
● On Saturday a disastrous 65-minute period of play either side of the lunch interval saw the Warriors slump from 125 for two wickets to 144 for nine in their first innings – seven wickets falling for 19 runs in 13 overs, giving the Knights a seven-run lead on the first innings.