Philander fails to save Western Province

Griqualand West 311 and 146 for 4 beat Western Province 173 and 283 (Philander 168) by 6 wickets
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In Kimberley, Griqualand West notched up a six-wicket win against Western Province. A massive 168 from Vernon Philander was not enough to save Province after their first innings debacle of 173. It was a virtual one-man show from Philander: apart from his marathon five-and-a-half hour century, he also scored 66 in the first innings, and had match figures of 5 for 92. It still couldn't prevent defeat, though, as Griquas reached the target of 146 with six wickets to spare.

Eastern Province 230 for 9 dec and 166 beat Boland 109 and 229 (Howell 4-38) by 58 runs
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At Boland Park in Paarl, Eastern Province beat Boland by 58 runs after restricting the home team to 229 in their second innings. Chasing a target of 288, Boland had a glimmer of hope when the middle order took the score to 207 for 6 after an early collapse had reduced the team to 18 for 3. Grant Howell, the top run-scorer for Eastern Province in their first innings, triggered the lower-order collapse, ending the day with 4 for 38 as Eastern Province registered their first win of the season.

Border 282 for 9 dec and 207 for 5 (Bradfield 61, Matika 57, Pillay 3-47) drew with KwaZulu-Natal 305 for 6 dec (Mall 96, Madsen 90, Hinkel 3-93)
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Rain and bad light in East London over all three days of the game ensured that Border and KwaZulu-Natal could only play out a draw. Nineties from Ashraf Mall and Wayne Madsen helped Natal to a healthy 305 for 6 when, in an attempt to manufacture a result, they declared inside the mandatory 85 overs. Warwick Hinkel was the most successful bowler for Border, taking three of the six wickets to fall. Half-centuries from Michael Matika and Carl Bradfield - his second of the match - ensured that Border comfortably batted out the remaining overs.

Free State 419 and 303 for 9 dec (du Preez 89, Summers 74, de Bruin 5-124, Mafa 4-78), beat Gauteng 270 and 296 (Harris 98, Crookes 51, Tshabalala 4-70) by 156 runs Scorecard

A target of 453 put the match at the Wanderers well out of reach for Gauteng as Free State ran away winners by 156 runs. With the target not attainable, Gauteng failed in their attempt to bat out for a draw as Thandi Tshabalala spun his side to a win with four wickets. Matthew Harris fell just two short of his century when he was trapped leg-before for 98. A quick 51 from Derek Crookes entertained the few spectators present at the ground, but it didn't save Gauteng from defeat.