CRICKET NEWS - The old adage that cricket is a funny old game was brought home this weekend when the Northern Cape Heat came from behind to spoil the party for the Garden Route Badgers.

They recorded a monumental seven-wicket victory against the Badgers in the CSA Division 2 four-day competition fixture in Kimberley.

The Badgers, who won the toss and opted to bat first, scored 282/9 (declared) in their first innings, with the partnership of 112 runs for the sixth wicket between Pheko Moletsane (28) and Liam Alder (84) being the highlight. Kyle Jacobs (56) added a half century and Yaseen Valli contributed 39. 

All nine wickets were bagged by spinners - Tshepo Ntuli (5/135) and Odrile Modimokoane (4/88).

A brilliant batting display by the Badgers restricted the Heat to 134 (all out) in their first innings. Alder was brilliant with figures of 5/56. He received good support from Zack Momberg (3/14).

With a lead of 148, the Badgers batted poorly in their second innings and were dismissed for 139, with the number 10 batsman, Jade Richter, reaching the top score of 35. For the Heat, Modimokoane was again in fine form with the ball and picked up 5/35.

With a target of 288, the Heat was in big trouble at 5/3 - with Moletsane who bagged all three wickets - but the captain, Ronan Herrmann, with 40* and Nonenela Yika 111* had other ideas as they produced an unbeaten partnership of 184 to take the home side to 289/3 for a seven-wicket victory.

The Badgers are still the log leaders with 81.02 (after four matches), followed by Eastern Storm on 65.02 (also after four matches). The Knights are at 58.34 points in third place after three matches.

The Badgers will take on the Knights in Bloemfontein this weekend in a crucial encounter.

Summarised score card:

Garden Route Badgers 1st innings 282/9 declared (Liam Alder 84, Kyle Jacobs 56, Yaseen Valli 39, Pheko Moletsane 28, Odrile Modimokoane 4/88, Thepo Ntuli 5/135) and 2nd innings 139 all out (Jade Richter 35, Ruan Terblanche 26, Odrile Modimokoane 5/35, Tshepo Ntuli 3/65, Romano Terblanche 2/18).

Northern Cape Heat 1st innings 134 all out (Romano Terblanche 25, Liam Alder 5/56, Zack Momberg 3/14) and 2nd innings 289/3 (Ronan Herrmann 140*, Nonenela Yika 111*, Pheko Moletsane 3/61).

Northern Cape Heat won by 7 wickets.

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