The ITEC Knights took one step closer to playing in a home final of the CSA One-Day Cup by winning their fifth consecutive game in Division 2.

On Sunday the Knights beat the Eastern Cape Iinyathi by five wickets at the Mangaung Oval to remain unbeaten after five games and on course for a home final as they continue working towards promotion back up to Division 1

The Iinyathi had a bat first in Bloemfontein and were bowled out for 271-runs in 49.2 overs.

Marco Marais scored 53-runs for the visitors, while Jade de Klerk contributed with 52 and Eben Botha scored 35.

Nipho Mpungose was the pick of the Knights bowlers with 4/38 in 7 overs, while Jason Raubenheimer took 3/24 in 4.2 overs.

In reply, Jacques Snyman scored 137-runs off 94 balls to help steer the Knights to the target in just 34.4 overs. Snyman hit 16 fours and 3 sixes as he scored his second consecutive ton in the competition after scoring 109-runs during the recent 56-run win against the Eastern Storm in Benoni.

The wicketkeeper, Garnett Tarr, in turn scored 35-runs, while Patrick Botha chipped in with 28.

Snyman told OFM Sport that it’s important to just continue doing the small things right and take it game-by-game as they target a home final at hopefully promotion at the end of the season.

“It's nice to score back-to-back centuries and I'm so happy that the hard work is finally paying off,” said the batting allrounder.

“As a team we are playing good cricket at the minute and we just want to take it one competition at a time and ensure that we finish at the top of the table to earn the 15 points.

“Our big goal is to go back up to Division 1 next season. But, for now it's just about taking it one competition at a time and doing all the small things right.”

The Knights will face the Limpopo Impalas in Polokwane on Wednesday in their penultimate round-robin game. The Knights last game before the final will be against the Northern Cape Heat in Bloemfontein on Sunday.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport