Easterns The New SuperSport Series Champions

Against all the odds and predictions, Easterns has won its first major cricket title to become the 2002/03 SuperSport Series champions, by beating the more fancied and star studded Western Province outfit by 273 runs in Benoni.

Having comeback from 27/5 in their first innings, and a deficit of 71 runs, they set Western Province a target of 402 on the last day of play.

Early wickets from Derek Crookes and Ant Botha paved the way for Andrew Hall to wrap up the innings with his second five-wicket haul of the match, ending on match figures of 11/99. Praise must not be forgotten for Pierre de Bruyn's fighting 120 in the first innings plus the big hundreds from Andre Seymore and Zander de Bruyn in Easterns second innings.

A tremendous performance from the Easterns players, without Andre Nel, Brendon Reddy and Alby Morkel they conquered the might of the Western Province team that included eight South African players plus two South African 'A' players.

Celebrations for Coach Ray Jennings and his team will go on long into the night.