Staff Reporter.
Asked to bat first, Western Province fell into early trouble when they lost both openers, Tony de Zorzi (7) and Jonathan Bird (7) within powerplay.
Ferisco Adams (2-18) was the man behind the destruction in a must-win encounter in Paarl.
Mihlali Mpongwana smashed 96 off 110 balls to help Western Province set a decent total against the hosts.
Mpongwana came to the crease with the visitors on 44/4 with the loss of Zubayr Hamza (9) and Daniel Smith (7). He shared a 40-run partnership with Edward Moore (33), and 41 runs with George Linde (17).
He then combined for 94 runs with Wayne Parnell (44) to ensure the visitors set a defendable total.
Bamanye Xenxe (3-52) was the pick of Rocks bowlers, dismissing Mpongwana, Parnell and Hamza and Western Province ended their innings on 246/8.
In responce, the Rocks were bundled out in less than 36 overs with only 172 runs.
Opener Leus du Plooy’s half century got the home team off to a good start but wickets kept falling around him.
His 57 was supported by Clyde Fortuin (31), and a run-a-ball 20 from Shaun von Berg.
Linde led the attack to record 3-23, while Tshepo Moreki and Kyle Simmonds claimed two wickets each. Parnell and Beuran Hendricks took single scalps.