Border set EP imposing target

At East London, Eastern Province collapsed to 219, a deficit of 133, for Border to take a strong position going into the final day. After an opening stand of 105 from Chad Baxter (58) and Colin Ingram (74) wickets fell quickly, but at 166 for 2 Eastern Province were still in reach of Border's first innings total of 352. Warwick Hinkel, with his leg breaks, took two quick wickets, to put Eastern Province under pressure. He added two more to finish with 4 for 42 while Mario Olivier waded in with 3 for 62. Border increased their lead to 350 when they declared on 217 for 3, after Carl Bradfield (80) and Steven Pope (64 not out) put on 80 for the third wicket. At close Eastern Province had scored 18 without loss.

Easterns came back strongly after being set a target of 439 to end the day on 223 for 3 at Kimberley. Griqualand West second innings was declared on 314 for 9 with a career-best 64 from Clive Bennett. Jason Brooker's 58 and 52 from Alan Doherty, his second 50 of the match, contributed to the big lead. Israel Hlengane achieved a career-best with his slow left-arm spin to take an outstanding 7 for 107. Easterns replied well after being bowled out for 118 in the first innings, with Sharad Mandan and Andre Seymore (41) putting on 137 for the first wicket. Mandan was caught behind just two runs short of his maiden first-class hundred. Jaco Booysen will continue tomorrow, unbeaten on 38.

A 72-run eighth wicket partnership between Pierre Joubert (68) and Paul Harris (47) enabled Northerns to recover to take a 65-run lead over North West, at Sedgars Park, in Potchefstroom. Struggling overnight at 95 for 5 and then 138 for 7 the pair carried Northerns past the North West total of 186 for Northerns to eventually be bowled out for 251 with Werner Coetsee taking 3 for 42. Joubert then showed his all round ability by taking two wickets in consecutive balls, leaving North West at a precarious overnight score of 77 for 5, lead of just 12 runs.