Pretorius and Venter guide Free State to victory

Dewald Pretorius and Kosie Venter took four wickets each as Free State beat Griqualand West by 54 runs in Kimberley. Set a target of 356, the home side were dismissed for 301 an hour after tea.

Free State, who declared their second innings on 280 for five, scored 352 in their first innings to which Griquas replied with 277. Griquas resumed on 50 for two on the final day with the pitch still sound.

However, less than judicious strokeplay and disciplined bowling saw them spiral to 71 for six. Paceman Pretorius claimed three of those wickets and off-spinner Venter picked up two.

However, Griquas then showed some backbone in the form of a seventh-wicket stand of 136 between Pieter Koortzen and Jason Brooker. But it was downhill again for the Diamonds when, 50 minutes after lunch, the partnership was ended by way of Venter trapping Koortzen in front for an innings of 78 which was 141 balls in the making and included 11 fours and a six.

That made it 207 for seven, and just less than an hour later Brooker fell lbw to Pretorius. His studied 77, to go with his more carefree 71 in the first innings, came off 158 deliveries and featured nine fours. Pretorius kept it tight throughout to finish with four for 63, while Venter plugged away doggedly to end up with four for 105 off 35.4 overs.

Nicky Boje was a popular choice for man-of-the-match, with innings of 77 and 105 and a haul of five for 67 in the first innings. He was also in the mix on Monday, taking two for 47 off 36 overs - half of which were maidens.

Spare a thought for wicketkeeper Gerard Brophy, who stood up to the stumps far more than usual to discourage the batsmen going on the charge and conceded 15 byes for his trouble.