WITH the rain gods playing along, Border handed Griqualand West a thoroughly professional eight wicket walloping on the fourth and final day of their Supersport Series match at Buffalo Park on Sunday. From day one, the result looked inevitable as Border put up a first innings of 426 and then comprehensively outplayed the visitors. Unlike their previous two encounters this season, rain didn’t ruin their victory chances and the hosts are now unbeaten with two draws and now, the win. On Sunday it was the combined efforts of offspinner Geoff Love together with positive batting from Piet Botha (64 off 116 balls, 7×4, 1×6) and Steve Pope (52 not out, 116 balls, 5×4) that secured the extra ten points. Griquas resumed on 219 for five — a lead of just 21. It was a precarious position but thanks to a superb knock of 59 by Finlay Brooker (188 balls, 5×4) and a cameo of 42 from Pat Symcox (62 balls 5×4, 1×6), at least they were able to set the hosts a target of 162 to win off 57 overs. A doddle it may have been, but at least it gave the crowd something to watch and, in a game such as this, if Border would have been aware of the danger of losing early wickets. The hosts also picked up the man of the match award, with first innings centurion Piet Botha getting that, while Love was handed the recruit of the match award. — MWP