Western Province claimed an important 131-run away win against the North West Dragons and also earned a bonus point.
The visiting side made first use of the JB Marks Oval pitch in Potchefstroom and scored a solid 307 for 8 in their 50 overs. The opening pair of Lara Goodall (26) and Oluhle Siyo (22) had starts but did not capitalize on them. Delmi Tucker at three only managed to score 35 before she was bowled by Thuto Thibedi. With Western Province at 117 for 3, the home side believed they could possibly climb their way back into the match, but Faye Tunnicliffe and Kelsey Adams had other plans. The pair put together a partnership of 151 for the fourth wicket, putting Western Province in a strong position at 269 for 4 with the wicket of Adams (45). In the meantime, Tunnicliffe scored her first 100 of the season in the Hollywoodbets Pro50, adding to the 100 she scored in the Hollywoodbets Pro20 the previous weekend against the Titans. Tunnicliffe finished the match with 136 from 116 balls as the Cape Town-based side set a target of 308 for the Dragons.
Thibedi was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 58 in her 10 overs, and Jane Winster might not have grabbed a wicket, but she was very economical, conceding only 35 in her 10 overs.
In their chase of 308, the Dragons never put together consistent partnerships to challenge the Western Province target. The Dragons’ top scorer was former Proteas captain Mignon du Preez with 55, while Lizri de Villiers (37) and Sarah Barber (32) got decent starts, but their efforts were not nearly enough for what the Dragons needed.
Kayla Reyneke took 3 for 29 in her 10 overs, and Western Province skipper Leah Jones claimed 2 for 18 from 8.1 overs as the Cape Town-based side restricted the Dragons to 176 all out. One thing the Dragons will feel they let themselves down with is having as many as four run outs in their innings.
In another fixture in the Pro50, the Lions claimed an away victory over the Garden Route Badgers in a rain-affected match by 36 runs.
Pic cred: CSA
