A crucial 24-run partnership for the ninth wicket between Imran Manack and Dyllan Matthews helped Easterns secure the CSA Provincial 1-Day Challenge title on Sunday.
The pair came together with the visitors down and out at 253 for eight, chasing 277. However, they managed to chip away at the total and eventually got them over the line with 19 balls to spare for a two-wicket win over Northerns in Centurion.
Their unbeaten partnership provided the perfect end for Easterns, although there were plenty other performances of significance at SuperSport Park.
The most noteworthy for Northerns came via a top score of 85 not out off 108 balls by Leus du Plooy, and a quickfire 54 off 50 balls from captain Diego Rosier.
That propelled the home side to a strong total after they had lost the toss and were asked to bat first in front of their fans.
There were two wickets each for Matthew Arnold, Kofi Apea-Adu and Manack.
Wesley Marshall gave Easterns a solid early start with his 61 off 64 balls, but they then lost their way.
Even though Sizwe Masondo also accumulated a half century, the regular strikes of Gregory Mahlokwana and Ruben Trumpelmann gave the home side a big advantage.
That was until Matthews and Manack got together for their short but vital stand that took the Benoni-based side to the title.
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