POTCHEFSTROOM (October 4) – In front of their home supporters, North West staged a dramatic comeback, but still fell nine runs short of a victory in their Standard Bank Cup match against Eastern Province here on Wednesday.

The home team was set a winning target of 247 runs. However, North West's top order failed to rise to the challenge. A 54-run seventh-wicket partnership between Thinus Enslin and Ezra Poole came close to causing an upset before they conceded defeat on a total of 238 for the loss of nine wickets.

Earlier in the day, North West won the toss and sent Eastern Province in to bat. Eastern Province lost their first wicket on a modest eight runs. A solid partnership between captain and opening bat Carl Bradfield and James Bryant restored their innings. Bryant top-scored with 54 runs, including five fours and one six. Lower down the batting order, Murray Creed contributed a valuable 43 runs before he was run out by Poole. Craig Light was impressive with both bat and ball for North West. The off-spinner finished with figures of 1-33 in his nine-over spell. Light then contributed 34 runs in 24 minutes from just 25 balls in his side's innings.

The North West innings got off to a shaky start, with the wickets falling at regular intervals. It was left up to Arno Jacobs (38 runs) and his captain Martin Venter (25 runs) to salvage the innings. Then it was the turn of Enslin and Poole to bring the home side to within reach of a victory. Enslin top-scored for North West with his unbeaten 39 runs. The early damage was too significant, most notably the bowling of Mfuneko Ngam, who claimed three wickets for only 34 runs.

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