Record 257-run partnership
Despite a brilliant unbeaten partnership of 257 runs for the fifth wicket between Obus Pienaar (112*; 243 balls, 1x6, 4x4) and Hanno Kotze (153*, 9x6, 8x4), the men from the Southern Cape failed to deliver the final knock-out blow and the Sunfoil Cup Three-Day match against Border ended in a draw last weekend.
SWD, who won the toss, declared their first innings at 370/4 (in the 109th over). Pienaar and Kotze got together at 113/4 and in the process achieved the biggest partnership in SWD's first-class history and also broke the previous SWD fifth record partnership held by Glen Addicot and Waldo Lategan (144 vs EP in Oudtshoorn - 2012/13 season).
It was Pienaar's third century of the season and Kotze eventually overcome his failure to convert half-centuries into centuries with a devastating knock with a career-best maiden first-class century.
In reply, Border was dismissed for 158 in their first innings. Debutant, Herchell America (3/42 in 12 overs), Obus Pienaar (3/18 in 10.1 overs) and Bradley de Villiers (2/37 in 15 overs) were SWD’s bowling heroes.
With a deficit of 212, SWD enforced the follow-on and after 113 overs in the field and a gutsy batting performance by the visitors - led by Marco Marais (100), Jerry Nqolo (53) and Jason Niemand (54*) SWD failed to wrap up the match.
With their total in the follow-on innings at 303/7 and a lead of 91 runs, the captain shook hands as the match ended in a draw.