What was especially satisfying was the highly efficient manner in which it was achieved. The major problem for participants in the three-day competition is the lack of sufficient time in which to achieve an outright victory. In their last two matches, however, North West managed to inflict outright defeats by nine and ten wickets respectively against two leading provinces, Western Province and Northerns. The match against Northerns ended with nearly four hours to spare after Northerns had come out to bat on the last day intent on playing for a draw. The match against Western Province was earlier won by eight wickets.
North West is a cricket province on the move.
They have set their sights high and have the determination to get out there. It would be unfair to single out individuals in an achievement in which players, adiministrators, coach and trainer can all justifiably share in the joy of victory. Team captain Martin Venter deserves special mention however. He was able to instil not only greater discipline but also a wonderful team spirit and will to win. Finishing second from the bottom in the Standard Bank limited overs competiton was a big disappointment although there were matches which could easily have gone the other way.