In a highly anticipated club cricket derby, the North-West University first cricket team strolled to a victory against its local rivals, Potch Dorp. The NWU secured an eight wicket victory at the NWU Oval last weekend, to remain unbeaten in the North West Club Premier League.
Potch Dorp made 157 all out before the NWU scored 158/2 in only 21 overs. Form-wise, this result may not have been a surprise, but you never know in these matches, with vested interest and gamesmanship from both sides. Many of Dorp’s key players like Shane Dadswell, JP le Roux, Stefan Gericke and Rohan Kruger are former NWU alumni. The current NWU batsman, Lourén Steenkamp, started his NW Premier League career as a Potch Dorp batsman.
It was Steenkamp, a former Potch Gimnasium player, who hit a 47 (37) and, together with Lesego Senokwane (60 off 66 balls), put any chance of a Potch Dorp victory to rest with a solid opening stand.
As per usual, NWU won the toss and elected to bowl first on their home turf, looking to put Potch Dorp under pressure early on.
NWU speedsters, Nico Loubser (1/45), AJ Jacobs (2/15) and Bantu Dandala (2/22) bowled with accuracy and vigour to send the top order packing.
It was only the former Potch Volkies batsman, Tommie le Roux (31/ off 63), who provided resistance before the outstanding Jacobs disturbed his stumps. Spinner, Katleho Leokaoke, finished off the tail with figures of 4/25.
It is now four from four for the NWU as they take on Potch Dorp 2 at the NWU Oval next.
Potch Dorp’s first team will look to bounce back in an important encounter against the defending champions, Impala Precete from Rustenburg.
Other results: 9 November – North West Club Premier League
• NWU Ibbies (114 all out) – Impala Precrete (116/3) Impala wins by 7 wickets
• Travelling Reefs (156 all out) – NWU Taurus (120/3) Taurus wins by 7 wickets
• Ikageng (88 all out) – Potch Dorp 2 (89/3) Potch Dorp 2 wins by 7 wickets
