NW Academy took on Easterns in a 3- day match encounter on the 11 – 13 August 2017 at the NWU Soccer Oval in Potchefstroom where Ruan Haasbroek was the star of the match with the ball, taking an incredible 6 wickets for 38 runs in 16 overs at an economy of 2.4. NW Academy had a low total of 52 runs to claim victory on day two.

Easterns tried to fight back taking two early wickets but Louren Steenkamp and Ruan Haasbroek steered their team to a 8 wicket victory over Easterns.

Earlier, Easterns won the toss and elected to bat first as the pitch looked like it would play much more difficult for the team batting last come day three. Easterns got off to a good start as they got an opening partnership of 92 before their first wicket fell. North West Academy fought back really hard as they bowled out Easterns for only 221 runs after a sturdy opening partnership between V. Humphrey and C. Moses.

Moses was the leading run scorer for Easterns in the first innings as he managed a good 50 runs from 97 balls. Tommy Le Roux was the peak of the bowlers in the first innings for NW Academy, bowling 13 overs for 37 runs with 4 wickets at an economy rate of 2.8.

NW Academy did not get off to a good start as they lost their first wicket for only 13 runs but Lourén Steenkamp and Ruan Haasbroek had different plans as they compiled an outstanding 113 run partnership for the second wicket.

NW Academy managed to get 264 runs in their first innings putting them in a demanding position with a lead of 43 runs. Ruan Haasbroek was the leading run scorer in the first innings for NW Academy getting 73 runs from 93 ball.  Steenkamp got 61 from 78 balls, Tommy Le Roux got 45 runs from 77 balls and Katlego Leokaoke got 32 runs from 65 balls.

The peak of the Easterns bowlers in the first inning was W Radebe taking 5 wickets in 11 overs for 41 runs at an economy of 3.7. NW Academy came out guns blazing on day 2 as they bowled out Easterns for a low total of 95 runs for the second innings.

Steenkamp got 33 runs from 28 balls in the second innings. Head coach of the NW Academy Jimmy Kgamadi says he is very grateful to coach a team that plays for each other and the province. He also mentioned that a few players are putting their hands up to play for the NW Dragons this coming season.