Eagles continue to soar

At St George's Park in Port Elizabeth the confident attacking tactics of the Eagles, Standard Bank Cup log leaders, again paid off as the Warriors ended 63 short of the 278-run target. The Eagles have now virtually secured themselves a home semi-final spot.

Winning the toss on a good batting pitch and electing to bat first the Eagles needed just three solid partnerships to power their way to 277 for 5. The opening pair of Morne van Wyk and Jonathan Beukus, for the fifth time this season, passed the 50-mark. This was followed by the hard hitting of Davey Jacobs and Benjamin Hector, who put on 137. Jacobs was destructive in his undefeated 101 hitting nine boundaries and two sixes. Hector finished on 75 as he tried to muscle his fourth six over the ropes. Loots Bosman then hit 30 off 16 balls as he and Jacobs put on 50 off 22 balls in 14 minutes for the Eagles to end on a match winning 277 off 45 overs.

Mornantau Hayward, slightly expensive, proved that he remains a wicket taker as he pocketed three of the five wickets to fall while Tyron Henderson put in a creditable 1 for 36 in his nine overs.

Throughout their innings the Warriors struggled to maintain the required run-rate. After losing Dumisa Makalima for 12, Mark Bruyns (33) and Tyron Henderson (41) made a valiant attempt but both succumbed just after establishing themselves. Laden Gamiet had a little flurry, scoring 43, but it was all in vain as wickets kept on falling at regular intervals.

Where the Eagles batting had set up the win, the bowlers finished it off with excellent disciplined bowling, as they continued to build the pressure on the batsmen. Deon Kruis was the most successful, taking 3 for 36, as the Warriors crumbled to 215 all out.