Bosman rules for Eagles

Eagles 318 for 8 (Bosman 74, Deacon 52*) v Dolphins
Scorecard

The Eagles' lower order recovered well on the first day of the SuperSport Series final at Goodyear Park in Bloemfontein, hauling themselves back from 163 for 5 to 318 for 8 after the Dolphins had threatened to take early control of the match.

After the Eagles had won the toss and batted first, Lady Luck smiled on the their opening pair of Davey Jacobs and Jonathan Beukes, as edges flew past and over the Dolphin slip cordon. Lance Klusener was especially unlucky as 12 boundaries were notched up in the opening 10 overs.

At 60 for 0 the Eagles seemed set for a big score but a change in fortunes came when Jacobs was well caught in the slips by Russell Symcox. A second good catch by Symcox brought an end to Beukes' innings, while Klusener trapped both Boeta Dippenaar (20) and Morne van Wyk (11) lbw. When Ryan Bailey was caught behind off Symcox, the Eagles slumped to 163 for 5.

With wickets falling all around, only Loots Bosman retained his composure. He scored 45 in a 57-run partnership with van Wyk and then began to rein himself in, but he was unluckily caught down the leg side off Dale Benkenstein. His 74 included 11 fours, and involved a half-century stand with Ryan McLaren. A patient 30 from McLaren, caught behind off Symcox, brought Cliff Deacon and Dillon du Preez together at 226 for 7.

A frustrating two hours followed for the Dolphins as their partnership grew to 69, but the new ball eventually made the breakthrough with du Preez edging Kent to slip for 31. Deacon went to an excellent fifty, his third, finishing not out on 52 at the end of the 90 overs with the Eagles 318 for 8.