A superb career best 109 (108) from North West Dragons opener, Lesego Senokwane, steered his side to a 20-run win via Duckworth-Lewis against the AET Tuskers in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday, 8 October.
The sylish Senokwane was at his best as he navigated the opening overs, before settling in to form a splendid 159-run partnership for the second wicket with Raynard van Tonder that eventually took the Dragons to 289/9 in 50 overs.
Senokwane, a former Saint Conrad’s College old boy, hit 16 fours as he brought up his second list A-century in fine style. Van Tonder also hit his second fifty of the campaign with a solid 73 (88 balls). He is now the leading run-scorer in the competition with 256 runs at an average of 128, with includes an unbeaten century.
The Dragons lost a bit of momentum when Senokwane and Van Tonder’s wickets fell in quick succession. A middle order slump followed with only Ruan de Swardt 36 (24) providing resistance. The Tuskers best bowlers were Mbulelo Budaza (3/53) and Michael Erlank (2/44). The hosts also had to deal with speedster, Stefan Tait, going off the field with an injury after only 2.1 overs.
The Dragons bowlers got stuck in early as Duan Jansen got rid of Yaseen Valli for 8. Kagiso “Jonty” Rapulana made a fine 59* (85) against his former Dragons team, and together with Tian Koekemoer 34 (39) steered the Tuskers to 72/1. Dragons captain, Wihan Lubbe, then introduced his golden arm and got rid of Koekemoer and Erlank to almost identical LBW-dismissals in back to back deliveries.
Piet van Biljon joined Rapulana at the crease, but the Dragons managed to squeeze the flow of runs and managed to restrict the hosts to 127/3 when rain intervened. The Dragons walked off the field with a smile on their face knowing that they had done enough to secure the win.
The Dragons, who are now fourth on the log on 8 points, next face the Titans at Supersport Park in Centurion on Friday, 13 October at 13:00 in what promises to be a massive encounter on the highveld.
The Titans are fifth on the log, having played two matches less thus far.
