Dragons must dust themselves off ahead of Boland clash
The Dragons succumbed to 10-wicket loss against the Dolphins this past week despite a fighting century from the experienced, Grant Mokoena.
A fighting 168 from North West Dragons opener, Grant Mokoena, was not enough to stop his team from going down against the Dolphins by 10 wickets in the CSA 4-Day Series match at the J.B. Marks Oval from 14-17 February.
Mokoena (168 from 314 balls, 21 fours and 2 sixes) showed resilience as he frustrated the Dolphins bowlers on the final day.
Together with Duan Jansen (60 from 78 balls) they put on a partnership of 120 runs for the 7th wicket. It was Jansen’s first half century of the competition, whilst the experienced Mokoena scored his first ton after previously hitting two half-centuries this season. This was also the 36 year old’s 10th first class century.
The Dragons were eventually bowled out for 366 in their second innings after following on from their first innings score of 282 all out.
This after the Dolphins had batted the Dragons out of the game with a mammoth 643/8 on the first two days.
The Dolphins were in control with top performances from Bryce Parsons (191) and Jon-Jon Smuts (156).
Okuhle Cele with match figures of 8/130 was the top bowler for the Dolphins.
The Dolphins are now top of the log (103.52 points), heading into the last round of fixtures (21-24 February) in the CSA 4-Day series. They will face Western Province who are currently fourth on the log on 95.5 points. Province could snatch the first place away from the Dolphins with only 11 points separated first from fourth.
A lot will also depend on the result between the Titans and Lions who are second and third on the log.
The fifth place Warriors take on KZN Inland Tuskers in which will be a must win match for the Tuskers if they are to avoid the final spot on the log.
The Dragons who are in seventh spot on the log on 66.72 points take on Boland who are on 70.9 points in sixth position. A win for the Dragons will push them up to sixth on the log, which will earn them 2 points in the overall 23/24 season standings.
This final match of the season at Boland Park will be a test of character for the Dragons, who have had to endure three losses in a row in this competition.
