Mpumalanga Rhinos Colts down Lions Colts in Johannesburg | Lowvelder

The Mpumalanga Rhinos Colts have continued their promising run of form and positive start to the season courtesy of a three-day draw and a one-day win over the Lions Colts.

The Rhinos Colts kicked off both the CSA Colts 3-Day and CSA Colts One-Day provincial competitions with victories over the Limpopo Impalas Colts in late November, showcasing promising signs for the season ahead.

They’d have to wait two weeks before they returned to action though, as a daunting pair of fixtures lay in wait against the Lions Colts in Johannesburg.

The two sides locked horns at the University of Johannesburg’s Orban Oval. The three-day fixture was set for play from December 5 to 7 and the home side won the toss, sending the visiting Rhinos in to bat first.

This didn’t faze the visitors though, as they posted 258 all-out in the first innings courtesy of a half-century from Nonelela Yikha (72). The Rhinos Colts were sharp with the ball in hand during the Lions Colts’ first innings, as they restricted the hosts to 210 all-out, ensuring they had a 48-run lead going into the second innings.

Shane Dadswell was on fire with the ball, claiming five wickets for 34 runs in 16 overs.

The Rhinos Colts’ second innings was promising too. Scores of 67 from both Zuan Swart and Martin Dlamini helped propel the Mpumalanga boys to 232 all-out, setting the Lions Colts a tough target of 280. If they were to earn a win the Rhinos would have to put in a serious bowling effort to dismiss their hosts before the end of play on day three.

They did the best they could, pushing the Lions Colts batters to the limit. Dadswell claimed a further three wickets while Kieran Kenny took two on his return from injury, and Ricus Kraam nabbed one of his own. The game ultimately ended in a draw with the Lions 108-6 at the end of the match.

The Rhinos Colts had one more shot at glory in the one-day match on Sunday, December 7, though. They won the toss, choosing to bowl first.

Refusing to struggle with the bat as they did in the three-day, the Lions Colts posted 344-8 in 50 overs thanks to a brilliant innings by opener Tiaan Brits who scored a mammoth 151 runs. Dadswell took two wickets for the Rhinos while Kraam and Junior Makua took one apiece.

The Rhinos’ run chase was a case of everyone chipping in with valuable contributions to get the team over the line. Luco van der Walt was top scorer with 92 not-out followed by 66 for Swart, 52 for Dadswell and 42 for Dlamini, as the Rhinos Colts chased down the target with an over to spare to secure a memorable five-wicket win.