WICKETS were the order of the day with 15 falling in just two sessions as Gauteng recovered from a wretched batting collapse to have Easterns reeling when rain ended play at tea.
Gauteng set Easterns a daunting target of 284 despite being bowled out for a paltry 122 on a treacherous, though innocuous-looking pitch.
Easterns failed to take advantage of a lively performance in the field and fell victim to a fired-up Gauteng attack led by lanky Antiguan Kenny Benjamin.
The former West Indian quickie lived up to his pre-match billing, tearing through the Easterns top order in taking three wickets to add to his first innings haul of five.
Gauteng scored 311 in their first innings and when the visitors were bowled out for 150 the follow on looked a certainty. But skipper Clive Eksteen opted to bat again with the morning’s play starting on one without loss.
Eksteen’s decision backfired immediately and the less said about the Gauteng second innings the better. Suffice to say Andrew Hall stood out amid the mediocrity with an unbeaten 62. The next highest scorer was extras with 17.
Andre Nel bowled accurately to snap up four wickets and was ably assisted by Frikkie Erasmus, who picked up three.
However, despite their brave bowling effort the end is nigh for Easterns, not only in this game but also for the next stage of the competition.