The North West Dragons tasted defeat for the first time in this season’s hotly contested CSA One Day Cup with a 27-run loss to the Boland Rocks on Friday, 25 March at the J.B. Marks Oval.
It was a match of missed opportunities for the Dragons who are now in second position on the table behind the unbeaten Titans by two points.
The Dragons failed to take their catches against the Rocks and that cost them dearly with the lucky escapee, Stiaan van Zyl, hitting an unbeaten 114*.
The Rocks posted 251/8 in their 50 overs with Dragons pacer, Eldred Hawken, impressing with career best figures of 6/46. The Dragons batsman failed in their chase being bowled out for 224. Wesley Marshall scored a patient 71, but it was not enough on the night.
The Dragons can fire straight back and ensure they qualify for the finals with a win against the Titans this week (Wednesday, 30 March) at Supersport Park in Centurion. It will be a tough assignment considering the form that the Titans and top batsman, Heinrich Klaasen, is in.
Klaasen has struck two centuries in his last two matches and his wicket will definitely be a key one for the Dragons.
The Dragons can also look forward to their final home game of the round robin stage against the Lions on Sunday, 3 April at the J.B. Marks Oval. If the Dragons lose against the Titans on Wednesday, then the match against the Lions will be a definite semi-final decider for a spot in the final.
