SWD victorious against Northern Cape Heat in Kimberley

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The Six Gun Grill South Western Districts cricket team moved within striking range of the Cricket South Africa Division 2 Four-Day title with a remarkable eight-wicket victory against top-of-the-table Northern Cape Heat in Kimberley.

The game appeared to be heading for a draw after three days, with the home team scoring 351 at the back of Evan Jones' 157 from 128 balls (18x4, 8x6), after it recovered from 139/5.

Renaldo Meyer (5/44 in 16.2 overs) bagged a fiver for the visitors.

SWD replied with a mammoth 555, thanks to a brilliant career-best, 13th first-class century, which contained 21 fours and four sixes from Leus du Plooy. He struck 186 from only 227 balls. He was given excellent support from the lower order from Sean Whitehead (54) and Pheko Moletsane (53). Earlier openers Yaseen Valli (86) and Blade Capell got SWD off to a partnership of 137.

The SWD bowlers, with a 204-run lead at their disposal, toiled manfully to dismiss Northern Cape for 303, with Marcello Piedt (3/50) leading the way.

André Malan (2/35 in 18 overs) with Meyer (2/68) and Whitehead (2/47) contributed significantly. Jonathan Vandiar (74) and Rivaldo Moonsamy (54) struck half-centuries for the home side.

SWD's run chase started dreadfully with Yaseen Valli and fellow openers dismissed cheaply, but Malan (64*) and Du Plooy (33*) went about their work in a calm and efficient manner to see the visitors home in the nick of time, reaching the target at 100/2.

The summarised score card:

Northern Cape Heat vs Six Gun Grill SWD

NORTHERN CAPE HEAT 1st Innings 351 all out (Evan Jones 157 Isaac Dikgale 42, Renaldo Meyer 5/55, Marcello Piedt 2/63) and 2nd innings 303 (Jonathan Vandiar 74, Rivaldo Moonsamy 54, Hanu Viljoen 44, Marcello Piedt 3/50, André Malan 2/35, Sean Whitehead 2/47, Renaldo Meyer 2/68)

SIX GUN GRILL SWD 1st Innings 555 all out (Leus du Plooy 186 (227 balls; 21x4; 4x6), Yaseen Valli 86, Blade Capell 67, Sean Whitehead 54, Pheko Moletsane 53, Marcello Piedt 38, Renaldo Meyer 34, Aubrey Swanepoel 3/137, Johan van Dyk 3/102, Beyers Swanepoel 2/80) and 2nd Innings 100/2 (Andre Malan 64*, Leus du Plooy 33*)

Six Gun Grill SWD won by 8 wickets.

Renaldo Meyer