GEORGE NEWS - The Six Gun Grill Badgers suffered a six-wicket defeat against the Tuskers this weekend in spite of a gutsy fightback.

The Badgers had a dismal start in this top-of-the-table contest in the Cricket South Africa Division 2 Four Day series that was played in Oudtshoorn when they only made 98/8 (declared) after being put in to bat. Only Kelly Smuts (41) offered resistance against a fine bowling display by the visitors led by Zihaad Abrahams (3/9).

The Tuskers batted with great intent and posted a mammoth 441 courtesy of fine knocks by Cameron Sheckleton 117, Kagiso Rapulana 98 and Ben Compton 74, for a massive lead of 343.

The Badgers responded with grit and determination with George van Heerden hitting his maiden first class century – 174 from 384 balls; 1x6, 17x4. He received good support from Yaseen Valli (75), Kelly Smuts (45), Luke Beaufort (67) and Jarred Jardine. The Badgers kept the Tuskers in the field for 166 overs before they were dismissed for 475. The run-out of van Heerden was the key breakthrough for the visitors.

The Tuskers surpassed the targets (128/4), thanks to their captain Michael Erlank (45*) steering the ship, to remain the log leaders.

The Badgers will take a lot of confidence with their next fixture at home against the Limpopo Impala – starting at Oudtshoorn on Thursday 5 December.

The summarised scorecard is:

Tuskers beat Garden Route Badgers by 6 wickets

Garden Route Badgers 1st innings 98/8 declared (Kelly Smuts 41, Zihaad Abrahams 3/9, Marcello Piedt 2/35, Michael Erlank 2/0) and 2nd innings 475 (Yaseen Valli 75, George van Heerden 174, Kelly Smuts 45, Luke Beaufort 67, Jarred Jardine 46, Marcello Piedt 2/65, Sean Whitehead 2/98, Michael Erlank 3/80, Chad Laycock 2/59)

Tuskers 1st innings 441 (Kagiso Rapulana 98, Ben Compton 74, Cameron Sheckleton 117, Sean Gilson 42, Marcello Piedt 35, Khwezi Gumede 3/85, Thomas Kaber 4/71) and 2nd innings 128/4 (Michael Erlank 46*, Jarred Jardine 2/31)

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