NW DRAGONS SECURE VICTORY AGAINST WESTERN PROVINCE

Lesiba Dikhoba

@lesiba.dikhoba 

 

In a thrilling encounter at the Potchefstroom JB Marks Oval, the North West (NW) Dragons triumphed over Western Province by three wickets, chasing 142 runs in 20 overs to secure the win on Friday night.

 

After winning the toss, the Dragons elected to field, and their bowlers responded with early success. In the first over, Western Province lost David Bedingham, caught out after just four balls, leaving them at 9/1.

 

Despite the early wicket, Edward Moore (38 from 31 balls) and Valentine Kitime (16) built a steady partnership of 26 before Kitime was dismissed. Daniel Smith (19) and George Linde (14) kept the scoreboard ticking, with Linde adding a crucial six before being caught.

 

Mihlali Mpongwana (13) and Abdullah Bayoumy (12) then formed a crucial partnership of 22, with both contributing boundaries, but the Dragons’ bowlers kept chipping away, with Mpongwana eventually caught out. A late flurry of boundaries by Wesley Bedja (4) and Mthiwekhaya Nabe (2) saw Western Province finish on 142 after 20 overs.

 

In response, the Dragons’ chase got off to a rocky start with Thamsanqa Khumalo falling for a duck in the first over. However, Wihan Lubbe (51 off 37 balls) led the charge, with Meeka-Eel Prince (17) playing the supporting role. Their 73-run partnership anchored the Dragons’ innings before Prince was dismissed. Lubbe continued to dominate the bowling, reaching his half-century before falling soon after.

 

Lesiba Ngoepe (14) added some quick runs with a four and a six, while Duan Jansen (5) and Janneman Malan (26) kept the scoreboard moving. In a tense finish, Marco Jansen (14) held his nerve, smashing two boundaries and a six in the final overs to guide the Dragons to victory with just one over to spare.

 

Western Province’s bowlers fought valiantly, with Mihlali Mpongwana’s hat trick providing a dramatic twist, but it wasn’t enough to deny the Dragons a win.

 

Meeka-eel Prince, the NW Dragons’ right-handed lower-order batter, was full of praise for Marco Jansen as he commended the South African international’s composure and ability to deliver under pressure.

 

“It came close there at the end, but we have Marco Jansen. He’s a professional South African cricketer—well, let’s say a pro-tier player. I had no doubt that he would rise to the occasion at that moment. I mean, that’s why he’s playing at that level, he’s made for big moments. And once again, he showed us exactly why he’s there,” said Prince.

 

The Dragons are now turning their attention to their home game against Boland on Sunday at 14:00. There was a strong turnout of spectators at the oval, and Lesiba Ngoepe, the NW Dragons’ vice-captain and batsman, expressed his gratitude to the fans while calling for their support once again on Sunday against Boland.

 

 

“Thank you very much for coming out, guys, we really appreciate you and hope to see you in many, many more games, even on Sunday afternoon as well,” Ngoepe expressed.

 

Edited by Jomari Langenhoven