We wrap up Day 2 of the 2nd Round of the 4-Day Series which saw the Lions close to a second successive victory in the competition, and Tony de Zorzi score his first century of the season for the WP Blitz.

Division One

Warriors vs Lions: Warriors in trouble on 41-7

On a gloomy Saturday morning in Gqeberha, the Lions took to the field at exactly 9:30 am to continue their innings which were stopped late on Day 1 due to bad light. Continuing on 74-1, the Lions struggled against the tall Marco Jansen who registered career-best figures of 6-40, thereby reducing the Lions to 170 runs all out. The Warriors started their second innings with a deficit of 74 runs in the first session on Day 2. Sipamla and Olivier accounted for the Warriors openers for low scores while Magala came on from the Graeme Pollock end and decimated the Warriors batters with figures of 4-17 in 9 overs.

The Warriors stare at a possible innings loss going into Day 3.

Rocks vs Western Province Blitz: Tony De Zorzi scores his first century for the season

The Rocks posted a hard-fought 267 runs first innings score on Day 1 at Boland Park in Paarl. Tony de Zorzi (127*) and skipper Zubayr Hamza (94 off 160) made a massive first wicket partnership of 170 runs after the early departure of Yaseen Vallie (26 off 64) courtesy of Shaun von Berg. A spell late on Day 2 from Hardus Viljoen prevented Hamza from scoring 13th career ton in first-class cricket. Viljoen then accounted for the in-form David Bedingham for 33 off 42 deliveries. At close, the Blitz were on 298-3.

Titans vs Dolphins: Dolphins trail by 183 runs with 8 wickets in hand

The Titans added 53 runs to their overnight score to secure a first innings score of 424 runs all out. Dupavillon and Mungroo finished the pick of the bowlers with four wickets apiece. In reply, the Dolphins opening pair of Sarel Erwee (103*) and Bryce Parsons (78 off 152) put on a solid foundation for their team before Simon Harmer bowled Parsons out. Keegan Petersen (41off 47) joined Erwee and together they put on an 80-run partnership before Junior Dala got the second and last wicket for the Titans on Day 2. The Dolphins will continue on 241 runs as Day 2 was brought to an end due to bad light.

North West Dragons vs Knights: Dragons follow-on with a deficit of 181 runs

The Knights posted a mammoth 418 runs for their first innings score, thanks to an unbeaten 192 runs from Patrick Kruger in the middle order. Knights fast bowler Mbulelo Budaza kept the Dragons batters quiet with figures of 4-64, while Kruger chipped in with a spell that yielded three wickets. Disappointingly, the Dragons were bowled out for 237 runs and were asked to follow on by Knights captain Pite van Biljon. Wesley Marshall and Lesego Senekwane will attempt to rescue the Dragons from a possible innings defeat at home.

Division Two

Northern Cape Heat vs Tuskers: Tuskers in control in Kimberley

Having finished on 252-6 on Day 1, Northern Cape Heat added 81 runs on Day 2. The Tuskers started off their first innings brilliantly with both the openers scoring half-centuries before Andrew Rasemene accounted for Michael Erlank on 55 off 86 balls. The in-form all-rounder Andile Mokgakane struggled to repeat the brilliant performance he had in the first round as he departed on 21 off 41 deliveries. Day 2 ended with the Tuskers on 260-6 trailing by 73 runs.

Eastern Storm vs Limpopo Impalas: Impalas struggle in Benoni

Easterns started Day 2 on 297-4 and went on to add 144 runs to finish their first innings on 443 runs all out. Sithembile Langa and Malcolm Nofal finished with three wickets each for Limpopo and were the pick of the bowlers. In reply, the impalas struggled against a decent Eastern bowling attack collapsing to 171-6 before bad light brought an early close to play on Day 2.

South Western District vs Mpumalanga Rhinos: Mpumalanga Rhinos post a respectable 311 runs

After the first day was washed out due to a wet outfield in Oudtshoorn, the Rhinos batted first and scored rapidly as they posted 311 runs all out against a good SWD bowling unit. Unsurprisingly, Hershell America, Marcelo Piedt, Andre Malan and Sean Whitehead all bowled beautifully for SWD as they picked up two wickets each. SWD openers responded well when they posted an opening partnership of 90 runs before Blayde Capell (55 off 64) was bowled out by Alexander Kok. Bad light brought an early close on Day 2 with SWD on 90-1.

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