WP all but clinch place in SuperSport final

Western Province duly wrapped up another win in what has been an oustanding first-class season as they beat Free State by 127 runs on Sunday and in the process all but guaranteed themselves a place in the final of the Supersport Series.

It was a victory forged in the furnace of the last 30 minutes on Saturday evening, when an enterprising declaration from Western Province captain HD Ackerman immediately on reaching a superb century left Free State needing to survive five crucial overs in deteriorating light.

The three wickets Province blasted out before stumps turned a match that until that point had always been very closely fought irrevocably in their favour, and Sunday was about mopping up the loose ends and studying the table to see how the teams behind them had fared.

Between them and victory stood the Billy Bunter-esque figure of Kosie Venter, the Free State all-rounder who was named man of the match for his efforts with both bat and ball. Venter was eighth out after a defiant knock of 42 and with hom went the match.

Although Victor Mpitsang crashed a career-best 23 batting at number 10, his runs were never going to make any impact on the result. Charl Willoughby's 5-26 was also a first-class best, and he and the rest of the Province attack must take enormous credit after the team spearheads, Roger Telemachus and Alan Dawson, both withdrew shortly before the match due to injury.

Province now travel to Northerns for their final Super Eight match and short of a washout, they will leave Centurion in the knowledge they are returning home to play the final at Newlands. It will take a good side to beat them.