DRONK GESPIN

BOLAND secured a dominant five-wicket victory over Western Province in the One-Day Cup at Boland Park on Sunday, advancing to the final which they will host this weekend.

The foundation of their win was laid by kwaai bowling performances from their spinners, after Clyde Fortuin won the toss and chose to bowl. Shaun von Berg (3/44), Aviwe Mgijima (2/27), Imran Manack (2/32) and Siya Mahima (2/17) restricted Province to 182 in 46 overs, despite the return of Proteas Tony de Zorzi and George Linde from Champions Trophy duty.

In response, Boland reached 183/5 in 43.3 overs, with Blayde Capell contributing a solid 59 and Gavin Kaplan adding 46. The chase began steadily with Capell and Grant Roelofsen (29) putting on 64 runs.

However, Roelofsen was dismissed by Kyle Simmonds (1/11), who bowled him. Despite the loss of Roelofsen, Capell and Kaplan continued, adding 59 runs for the second wicket.

After Capell was dismissed by Linde (1/31) and Kaplan fell to Wesley Bedja (3/27), Boland seemed to wobble as the required runs dwindled.

Bedja took three wickets, including Kaplan, Mgijima, and Lehan Botha (eight), but Fortuin (seven not out) and Von Berg (one not out) calmly guided Boland across the line for a spot in the final.

Earlier, WP started well with openers Eddie Moore (51) and De Zorzi (32) putting on 62 runs off 85 balls, but after De Zorzi was dismissed by Aya Gqamane (1/22), the wickets began to fall regularly.

David Bedingham, Bennie Hansen, and Moore all got out cheaply. Though Linde (38) and captain Kyle Verreynne (29) steadied the innings with a 41-run partnership, Boland’s bowlers cleaned up the middle and lower order.