WESTERN PROVINCE WOMEN CLINCH WEST / EAST DIVISION 

by Eddie Anderson

25 January 2010 

The Western Province women’s cricket team convincingly defeated South Western Districts by 199 runs on Sunday January 24 at Mossel Bay. With bonus points secured in all their matches to date, the reigning national champions are seven points clear of the field in the West/ East division of the national provincial ODI league and, with only one more match to be played against second-placed Boland on February 13 (for a maximum of 5 points), Western Province have effectively won the division.

Western Province vs South Western Districts on Sunday 24 January

Western Province won the toss and decided to bat first on an excellent batting wicket with a fast outfield. Olivia Anderson and Alexis le Breton opened the innings. le Breton was out with the total on 11 and Leighshe Jacobs joined Anderson in a solid partnership for the second wicket of 101. When Jacobs was lbw for 34 South African all-rounder Shandre Fritz joined Anderson in an aggresive partnership with plenty of quick singles, but Olivia was run out to an excellent direct hit from mid-on for 99 runs. Robyn Appels then produced an enterprising 28 off 26 balls in a partnership of 54 with Shandre Fritz, who scored an exciting 63 runs not out off 70 balls despite wickets falling regularly at the other end. The innings closed on 273 for 6.

The best of the SWD bowlers was E. Pietersen with 3 for 43.

The SWD batsmen were soon in trouble when they took their turn at the crease. Only De Villiers posted a score worth mentioning – 22 not out - while five Western Province bowlers shared the wickets. Yolani Fourie wrapped up the tail with three wickets for 12 runs, while Ashlyn Kilowan, Shabnim Ismail, Carolyn Esterhuizen and Ashton Heldsinger took one each. Kilowan and Ismail were most economical, yielding only 25 runs in their 14 overs opening spell. Keeper Anderson took two catches and bagged one of the three run-outs, with Heldsinger and Pipers getting the other two with excellent fielding.

Western Province’s winning margin was 199 runs, earning the team a bonus point for the seventh match in succession.

Western Province’s final divisional match will be played against Boland in Cape Town on February 13.