Warriors come so close to a win

THRILLER: EC SIDE FALL AN AGONISING EIGHT RUNS SHORT

Ken Borland

The Warriors and the Knights drew a thrilling Sunfoil Series match in East London yesterday and, with the other two games also ending in draws, the Eastern Cape side are top going into the final round next weekend.

The Warriors were set a target of 256 in 64 overs by the Knights and fell eight runs short, while the Knights had them eight down and were also pushing strongly for victory.

Veteran off-spinner Werner Coetsee took 6/71 in 24 overs and seemed to be bowling the defending champions to victory when he reduced the Warriors to 185/7.

But Simon Harmer batted through to the close to be 35 not out to ensure an electrifying finish as Sisanda Magala (18) and Tladi Bokako (7*) accompanied him for the final hour.

The Warriors had looked wellset for victory as their top-order of Gihahn Cloete (37), Ed Moore (73) and Jon-Jon Smuts (41) all fired, but Coetsee then spun his web in mesmerising fashion.

The Knights declared on 248/8, with Patrick Kruger scoring 87 and fast bowler Anrich Nortje taking 4/57 and spinner Harmer getting three more wickets.

The match between the Cape Cobras and the Titans ended without much drama in Paarl, despite the home side losing their last seven wickets for 61 runs to be all out for 460, a lead of just 25. The Titans then made 133/3 before the captains agreed on a draw.

Opener Pieter Malan took his epic 685-minute innings to 180 and Kyle Verreynne scored 75, while Eldred Hawken (4/82) and Tabraiz Shamsi (3/65) were the best of the Titans bowlers.

Opener Andrea Agathagelou reached 77 not out in the Titans second innings without any fuss.

There was some top-class cricket at the Wanderers as the Dolphins were set 285 to win in 50 overs by the Highveld Lions.

Sarel Erwee (50 off 47) and Vaughn van Jaarsveld (59 off 53) gave them a blazing start but a two-wicket burst by Aaron Phangiso and two each for Sean Jamison and a fired-up Wiaan Mulder pegged them back.

The Dolphins kept going though in search of a win that would keep their hopes of winning the four-day competition alive, and the match was delicately poised with both sides interested when a storm ended proceedings with the visitors on 199/7 with 14.3 overs left.

Fast bowler Beuran Hendricks had earlier scored a crucial, career-best 68 as nightwatchman and, with the help of Rassie van der Dussen (43), Dwaine Pretorius (39) and Mulder (44*), it enabled the Lions to declare on 417/7.