Gqamane scores century as Border stumbles

A brilliant maiden first-class century from Border all-rounder Aya Gqamane helped dig his side out of a deep hole in their CSA 3-Day Challenge match against Eastern Province at Buffalo Park on Friday.

After EP declared their first innings on 365/9 in the morning session, Border were in all sorts of trouble in their response as they stumbled to 77/5 after the lunch break when Gqamane joined Bradley Williams at the crease.

In the 41st over Gqamane went to his half-century off 28 balls. He started the over on 39 and then climbed into Kenan Smith,: smashing 4, 4, 2, 4, 4, to finish the over on 57 runs.

Gqamane continued to be the aggressor in the partnership and by the time Border went to tea on 185/5, he had scored 85 off 52 balls, while Williams was on 34. Their stand at that stage had grown to 108.

After tea Gqamane, smacked fast bowler Basheer Walters for 4, 4, dot, 2, 4, 1 to reach his hundred off 58 balls.

But wickets then tumbled. First to go was the solid Williams who was caught in the slips by Lesiba Ngoepe off the bowling of Thomas Kaber for 34, ending a

In the morning sessions EP could only add 31 runs to their overnight score of 334/4

fine 126-run partnership and leaving Border on 203/6. A few overs later, Walters got his revenge as Gqamane was caught at deep fine-leg by and then Joshua Dodd edged one behind to fall for a golden duck with Border on 207/8.

Walters then bowled Phaphama Fojela (3) and Kaber wrapped up the Border innings by bowling Bongolwethu Makeleni for a duck as Border crashed to 210 all out. They lost their last five wickets for only seven runs and EP took a handy lead of 155 runs.

Veteran Walters finished with figures of 5/46.

In the morning sessions EP could only add 31 runs to their overnight score of 334/4.

EP were set to resume their second innings at the time of going to print. A full report is available online.