A brilliant 118 from Neil Whitworth ensured a convincing 180-run win for the Grasshoppers on the first match of their South African tour against Elgin.

Centurion Neil Whitworth

The Lisburn captain hit 16 fours and 2 sixes in his knock, sharing a fourth wicket stand of 168 with Glenn Halliday, who hit three boundaries in his 49.

Jonathan Waite (21) and Seby Best (18*) also chipped in to a healthy total of 260 for 8, despite the best efforts of Rehan, who claimed a six-wicket haul for the hosts.

Rehan took six wickets for Elgin

Neil Gill got the Grasshoppers defence off to the perfect start with a wicket in the first over, and the home side never really got going as they were bowled out for just 80.

Gill, Aaron Wright, Michael Waite, Seby Best and Callum Atkinson all picked up two wickets in the convincing win.

The Grassoppers are back in action on Sunday in the second game of their six-match tour, facing a very strong Somerset West side that is sure to provide a stern challenge.

The Grasshoppers opt for a swim in the sea rather than ice baths...

SCORECARD

GRASSHOPPERS beat ELGIN by 180 runs

Grasshoppers
J Waite c Pritchett b Rehan 21
R Waite c Pritchett b Rehan 10
P Beverland bowled James 3
N Whitworth bowled Rehan 118
G Halliday bowled Walter 49
J Keates lbw b Rehan 4
J Lambert bowled Rehan 0
S Best not out 18
M Waite bowled Rehan 11
A Wright not out 1
N Gill dnb
Extras 25
Total (8 wkts, 40 overs) 260

Fall: 1-34 2-37 3-44 4-212 5-227 6-227 7-228 8-249

Bowling: James 8-2-35-1; Rehan 7-1-36-6; Sean 3-0-12-0; Jaco 8-1-44-0;
Daniel 7-0-52-0; Dave 4-0-50-0; Walter 3-0-24-1.

Elgin
A Mike lbw b Gill 0
R Shamus bowled Atkinson 10
B George bowled Gill 10
O Pritchett lbw b M Waite 4
T Daniel lbw b M Waite 17
G Wallie ct J Waite b Atkinson 3
K Jaco bowled Best 3
T Rehan ct A Wright b Best 1
F Sean bowled Wright 2
K Dave lbw b Wright 0
Extras 22
Total (all out, 32.1 overs) 80

Fall: 1-0 2-26 3-39 4-43 5-57 6-62 7-64 8-68 9-75 10-80

Bowling: N Gill 5-1-5-2; J Lambert 7-2-17-0; C Atkinson 7-3-11-2;
M Waite 4-0-19-2; S Best 4-0-8-2; A Wright 5.1-3-4-2.