The Mpumalanga Rhinos are on top of the B Division log table after two matches of the CSA One-Day Cup.

Last Friday, the Rhinos opened their campaign against the Eastern Storm at Willowmoore Park in Benoni.

The Storm won the toss and put the Rhinos in to bat.

They made 309 for nine in their 50 overs. Benjamin van Niekerk was in fine form, scoring 79 runs off 87 balls.

The Storm’s Divan Posthumus took three for 52 in eight overs.

The home team put up a brave chase, but simply could not push the run rate needed.

The Rhinos’ bowlers defended their innings total well, and the Storm, with wickets falling, were always under pressure.

They were all out for 248 in the 49th over.

Opener Wesley Coulentianos top-scored with 65 runs.

The wickets were spread among the six Rhinos bowlers used in an excellent team effort.

Jon Hinrichsen took two for 29 in seven overs.

The Rhinos beat the Eastern Cape Iinyathi by three wickets at White River Country Club on Sunday.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat.

The Iinyathi were soon in trouble with openers, Marco Marais (bowled Hinrichsen) and Mncedisi Malika (bowled Bamanye Xenxe) with just three runs on the scoreboard.

They recovered well, and with a brilliant 156-run fifth-wicket partnership between Nonela Yikha and Joshua Dodd, made 257 for seven in their 50 overs.

Hinrichsen took three for 71 in 10 overs. Caleb Balich conceded just 26 runs in his ten and took two wickets.

Yasser Cook was in no mood to have his team under pressure in the chase, and he and Rubin Herman put on 35 runs in the opening partnership before Herman was bowled by Jade de Klerk.

The Rhinos kept the scoreboard ticking over.

When Cook eventually fell in the 15th over for a well-played 54 off 49 balls, the Rhinos were in a strong position.

Glen Adams anchored the win with a knock of 87 not out (10×4; 1×6) off 87 balls, with his batting partners and he keeping the team’s run rate up at around six an over.

Bamanye Xenxe hit a four and a six off the three balls he faced, batting at number nine.

Adams was man of the match.

The Mpumalanga Rhinos will face the Northern Cape Heat on Thursday March 24 at Uplands College.