The North West Dragons made a statement of intent last week when they beat KwaZulu-Natal by 67 runs in the CSA 3-Day Provincial Cup at Senwes Park from 18 to 20 October.

Centuries from Wihan Lubbe (115) and Ruan Haasbroek (101) in North West’s second innings propelled the home team to victory before the youngster, Marco Jansen (4/35) and the experienced Brady Barends (3/27) tore through KZN to bowl them out for 115 in their chase of 183 for victory.
The Dragons did not have the best of starts to the match, though. They batted first and compiled a below-par 205 in their first innings. KZN’s Keith Dudgeon had North West at sixes and sevens with his spell of 6/42. Barends (63) and Jansen (66) put together a solid 57-run partnership and this restored some pride after the Dragons were in trouble with 90/6 at one stage.

Photos: Wouter Pienaar

KZN replied with a first innings total of 369 all out with former Dragons’ player, Marques Ackerman hitting a 77 against his former employers. Michael Erlank also chipped in with 75 for KZN. Jon Henrichsen was one of the Dragons standout bowlers with 3/66.

The second innings was a complete turnaround for the Dragons who knew that the fate of the match lay in the batsmen stepping up their game. Lubbe and Haasbroek duly obliged with a 168- run partnership to give the Dragons hope in their second innings total of 346 all out.
The momentum from these centuries seemed to give the Dragons bowlers extra motivation and, in 36,5 overs, it was all over with the Dragons enjoying a memorable come-from-behind victory.

Dragons too good for KZN in coloured kit

The Dragons sampled the previous day’s long format heroics with a total 5-wicket victory against KwaZulu-Natal in the CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge at Senwes Park on Sunday, 21 October. KZN batted first and made 252/8 in their allotted overs with Michael Erlank clubbing 67*. Wihan Lubbe was economical with his spin, taking 2/34.
In reply, the Dragons started poorly and were stuck off 14/3 at one stage. Jonty Rapulana was the saviour on the day, though, hitting a magnificent unbeaten 119* (139) that included 12 fours. Lourén Steenkamp with 53* (60) assisted him brilliantly with a 126-run partnership taking the home side to victory with seven balls to spare.