• Wolvaardt ton powers WP Women’s victory

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    Laura Wolvaardt made her mark on day one of the CSA Women’s National Week with an unbeaten century to help Western Province clinch a comfortable victory over Free State on Monday.

    The 19-year-old Proteas opening batter smashed six fours and two towering sixes en route to 100 not out off 99 balls. Free State posted a challenging 224-6 in a match reduced to 42 overs a side following a delayed start due to a wet outfield.

    READ ALSO: KZN Women ready for SA’s best in National Week

    The hosts’ innings was powered by half-centuries from Izabella Cilliers (83) and Yolandi Potgieter (67), with Nosipho Vezi (2-39) doing most of the damage with the ball.

    Wolvaardt shared a 75-run stand with fellow Protea Andrie Steyn (33), before taking the game away from Free State with a composed century partnership alongside Nadia Mbokotwana (20 not out) to carry the defending champions over the line by six wickets with 12 overs to spare.

    North West and Northerns also recorded big wins on the opening day, while Boland edged Border by 13 runs in their encounter that was reduced to 20 overs per side.

    Proteas Women seamers Tumi Sekhukhune (3-15) and Masabata Klaas (3-20) helped North West to a thumping ten-wicket victory over KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) after reducing the coastal side to 90 all out in 40.1 overs. Captain Nondumiso Shangase top-scored with a valiant 27 against the inspired bowling attack.

    Fellow Proteas Lizelle Lee and Tazmin Brits took North West to victory, thanks to Lee’s measured 47 (57 balls, 5 fours, 1 six) alongside a composed 38 not out from opening partner Brits – resulting in North West securing the win within 16 overs.

    All-rounder Suné Luus picked up three wickets for just eight runs to restrict Gauteng to 106-9 in their revised 46 overs to put Northerns in the driving seat. Mignon du Preez then stepped up to the plate with 55 off 67 balls (8×4, 1×6) to help her team over the line in the 34th over.

    Boland bagged the win in a tight contest against Border thanks to Ezryn van Aswegan. The opener smashed an almost run-a-ball 56 (5×4, 1×6) for the Western Cape outfit before she was forced to retire hurt. Her heroics helped Boland to 109-2 in their 20 overs.

    Despite Genevieve Fritz’s (37) and Moseline Daniels’ (22) best efforts, Boland’s Michaela Hanekom (3-11) shone with the ball to restrict Border to 96-6 in their allotted overs to claim a 13-run victory.

    READ ALSO: Mignon honoured with gates at SuperSport Park

    Day 2 fixtures (Tuesday, 26 March)

    KwaZulu-Natal vs Northerns – CUT Tokkiepark

    Free State vs Border – St Andrews Hickling

    Gauteng vs North West – UFS 3

    Boland vs Western Province – St Andrews Vossies Field

    Photo: Laura Wolvaardt/Twitter

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