Western Province claimed the Good Hope Challenge with a comprehensive victory under overcast skies. The victory was based on another superb century from Neil Johnson, and some superb bowling by Charl Willoughby ended the fight almost before it began.

Johnson was again the class act of the WP batting. He received some support from his teammates, as each of the first four partnerships passed 40 runs.

He offered a chance on 94, a difficult catch to Chilton in the deep, but thoroughly deserved his second successive century. His innings ended with a good piece of fielding by wicket keeper Warren Hegg as the batsmen tried to steal a bye. After his departure, some big hitting by all rounders Renier Munnik and Alan Dawson added 36 in the last four overs.

Peter Martin (2/24) was again exemplary while the two spinner, Chris Schofield and Gavin Yates, were both tidy. Greg Chapple had a nightmare of a match, conceding 70 runs in his nine overs.

The visitors innings had a disastrous start. Charl Willoughby produced some superb left arm pace bowling to take a wicket in each of his first three overs, and they never recovered from being 11/4 in the 7th over. Willoughby went on to finish with 4/17.

Hegg played the typical captain's innings, bashing 61 off 62 balls (7 fours, 1 six) before being stumped. Schofield struck some telling blows, but victory for Lancashire was always no closer than the distant horizon.

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