Wihan Lubbe’s 80 helped the North West Dragons overcome the Central Gauteng Lions by 65 runs (DLS method) in their One-Day Cup encounter at the Wanderers on Sunday.
The left-hander struck four fours and five sixes in a 64-ball innings for his side as they amassed 310-6 while Matthew Kleinveldt (64 off 61 balls; seven fours, one six) and Lesiba Ngoepe (53* off 39 balls; four fours, two sixes) also hit half-centuries.
Ruan de Swardt and Kerwin Mungroo then claimed three wickets each to hand the men from Potchefstroom a second victory of the campaign – one that vaulted them into the top three – after the hosts were bowled out for 249.
Batting first, Rubin Hermann (47) and Janneman Malan (33) gave the Dragons a strong start, before Kleinveldt, Lubbe and Ngoepe ensured they set a daunting 311.
The Lions lost Muhammad Manack (nought) and Wandile Makwetu (nine) early in the chase, and when Reeza Hendricks was dismissed for 18 by Mungroo (3-36), they found themselves in a fix on 37-3 in the ninth over.
Zubayr Hamza (45) together with Mitchell van Buuren (50 off 57 balls; two fours, two sixes) and Connor Esterhuizen (59 off 54 balls; four fours, one six) gave them outside hope.
But they slipped to 155-6 and were largely chasing the game thereafter. De Swardt (3-34) managed two more wicket to kill off any hopes as the home side were all out in 45.2 overs.
It was an important win for the visitors, one that ensured the competition was wide open after three rounds of action in which log-leaders leaders Boland remained the only unbeaten side with three wins from three.
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In Sunday’s other match, a heavy afternoon downpour in Centurion meant the Northerns Titans and KZN Dolphins had to share the points.
The Dolphins were bowled out for 305 in 48.5 overs after being asked to bat first at the toss.
Veteran Jon-Jon Smuts top-scored with 71 off 61 balls (10 fours, two sixes) with all-rounder Jason Smith hitting 50 off 58 balls (one four, one six).
Mathew Boast picked up 3-33, while Junior Dala took 3-71.
The Titans then reached 15-0 in 2.3 overs, before the heavens opened and brought a premature end to proceedings.
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
