North West Dragons had a bittersweet weekend of cricketing results this past weekend when they took on Boland in a Sunfoil 3-Day Cup and One-Day Cross Pool matches at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom.

The Dragons started off on a high with an 82-run win in the 3-day match but came unstuck in a thrilling one-day match which they agonisingly lost by 1 run after number 11 batsman Julian Soutter was run out.

Before all the thrills of that one-day match, a 3-day match tested both sets of players on a good surface which had something in it for both batsmen and bowlers.

The Dragons batted first and scored 298 with Marques Ackerman top-scoring with 68. Boland eclipsed North West’s total with 313 runs in reply with Jean Bredenkamp top scoring with a free flowing 80. André Malan was the best bowler for the home side with 4/30. Malan then took that performance as a surefire confidence boost as he preceded to smash 103 not out in the Dragons second innings. Together with brother, Janneman Malan (88) they put on a swift 135-run partnership as the Dragons declared on 290/2.

A terrific bowling performance from Brady Barends (5/33) in the second innings tore the heart out of Boland’s batting lineup as the visitors could only muster 193 all out.

The Sunday one-day game was also a true classic with Boland smashing the Dragons bowlers to all parts. Bredenkamp was the star with his 110 in their total of 313/8.

The Dragons were resolute in their chase as half-centuries from Janneman Malan and Ruan Haasbroek kept them on track. A middle order collapse followed and it was left to Barends and Eden Links to repair the innings. Their 56 run stand looked like it could win the game for the home side, especially when links hammered the first two balls of the final over for four. Boland’s Lizaad Williams kept his nerve as the second last ball when to Isma-eel Gafaldien who hit the stumps as Soutter went for the game-tying single. It was game over as Boland claimed one of the great wins at Senwes Park.