It seemed as if centurion Daniel Stephen was listening to commentators Aslam Khota and Rodney Ulyate when they spoke about the poetic beauty of a match being sealed by the man who did the most to win it.

Before Khota and Ulyate’s words could fully sink in, Stephen smashed Jan Grobbelaar’s fourth delivery off the 42nd over through mid-wicket and followed it up with a towering six in the same region to bring the curtain down on a magnificent innings of 162 off 129 balls.

That quality knocked-handed Border a six-wicket victory in their defence of the Veterans Cricket Association of SA (VCASA) over-50s interprovincial tournament title against Eastern Storm at Willowmoore Park on May 11.

Ulyate’s words, in particular, rang true as he aptly suggested there is beauty in “being there until the end” – something Stephen embodied as he carried Border on his broad shoulders after arriving at the crease with the Eastern Cape side in early trouble.

Stephen’s masterclass, studded with 19 fours and nine sixes, was anchored by a decisive 226-run third-wicket partnership with Andrew Emslie – a stand that ultimately separated the two sides after Eastern Storm struck early with intent.

Chasing a modest 258, Border were rocked early as Grobbelaar and Muhammed Teladia made full use of the new ball.

Grobbelaar removed openers Tyron Henderson and Russel Krug in quick succession, while Aiden Samson edged Teladia behind, leaving Border reeling at 19/3 in the seventh over.

But Stephen and Emslie steadied the ship with composure, rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries.

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As the Eastern Storm attack began to lose its edge in the middle overs, the pair shifted gears, pushing the total and their partnership past 200 after Stephen brought up his century off 84 balls with a crisp boundary straight down the ground.

Johann Nel eventually broke the stand, trapping Emslie for a well-played 79 off 96 balls with Border on 245 and needing just 13 more for victory.

Stephen, however, remained unbeaten to see the job through, guiding his side to 259/4, winning by six runs with 19 balls to spare.

Earlier, Justin Price played a crucial role in restricting Eastern Storm after the hosts threatened to post a daunting total on the back of two strong partnerships.

Roland Braun (41) and Suleiman Ebrahim (40) laid a solid foundation with a 92-run opening stand, before Nel (45) and captain André Steyn (52) added a further 82 for the third wicket.

But Price applied the brakes with a superb spell of 5/53, while Emslie chipped in with two wickets, limiting Eastern Storm to 257/9 in their 45 overs.

The tournament continues and concludes with the finals on May 15 at Willowmoore Park.

To follow the tournament, go to https://www.vcasa.co.za/score

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