Griquas back in contention against North West Dragons

Loots Bosman and Deon Kruis combined to play Griquas right back into contention on the third day of their SuperSport Series match against the North West Dragons at De Beers Oval.

Bosman's maiden first-class century and four wickets in succession for Kruis left the match situation intriguingly poised with one day's play remaining.

The Dragons will resume their second innings on 142 for six - an overall lead of 171 - and with both sides harbouring hopes of recording their first win of the campaign.

Bosman's innings had begun on Saturday with his side deep in trouble at 68 for four as he strode to the wicket. That quickly became 115 for seven as wickets tumbled around the unflappable number six.

He resumed an unbroken 40-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Zahir Abrahim on Sunday and the pair added a 51 before the latter was caught at the wicket having made 57. He was the fifth victim for Mark Levine.

Craig Tatton followed almost instantly, but then Bosman found another willing partner in number 11 Wayne Kidwell who made ten of a last wicket partnership of 73 before he was run out.

Bosman upped the tempo with Kidwell, striking four sixes and ten fours in a five-hour stay, finally reaching three figures after falling just four runs short in his debut season against Free State in 1997/98.

The Dragons built positively on their 29-run first innings lead, openers Andrew Lawson and Hendrik de Vos putting on 52 for the first wicket before De Vos was caught and bowled by Tatton.

A second half century partnership - this time for the third wicket - between Lawson and Glen Hewitt (39) took the Dragons to 115 for two before Deon Kruis returned to the attack to take four wickets in the space of 25 runs to bowl Griquas right back into the match.

He sent back both the partners and then followed up by trapping Levine and Craig Light lbw with the score on 140 to leave the game teetering on a knife edge.