FOR four overs on Saturday, Griqualand West got the faintest smell of victory in their Supersport Series match against Eastern Province at St George’s Park on Saturday. It was then that the hosts collapsed from 220 for three to 225 for six and suddenly a game that had been destined for the draw heap, got a second life. Luckily for EP, but unfortunately for the game, in stepped Shafiek Abrahams and Denys Murray to add 105 for the seventh wicket and steer their side to 359 all out — a slender first innings lead of eight runs. At the close, EP were on one without loss. So, with just a day of play remaining, even the most optimistic would be inclined to predict that the only possible result is nothing more than a draw. Eastern Province resumed on 174 for one, in pursuit of Griquas’ 351 all out, and lost two wickets in the 10 overs bowled during a rain-affected morning. Opener Carl Bradfield, one of the country’s most promising young players, went for 65 (217 balls, 7×4), while James Bryant holed out to Pat Symcox for 48 (107 balls, 6×4, 2×6). It was after lunch that the drama (if you can call it that), started. With David Callaghan, Mark Rushmere and Graham Grace all following within four overs and five runs, EP were in a spot of bother as Ottis Gibson began to get his tail up. It eventually took a nuggety 63 (118 balls, 6×4) by Abrahams to get the hosts back on track as, along with Denys Murray (40), he put on 105 for the seventh wicket. And it wasn’t all dogged defence either as Abrahams knocked away six fours off 118 balls.