North West captain Martin Venter scored a patient 85 to give his team a reasonable start against Nashua Western Province in a Supersport Series match at Potchefstroom on Friday.

After an indifferent start reaching 40/3 in the morning Venter stabilised the North West innings. Again the WP pace attack gave them a fine start with Charl Willoughby destroyer in chief. North West eventually totalled a tidy 297 after being asked to bat by WP captain HD Ackerman. Willoughby ended with five wickets and was ably supported by Alan Dawson(2 wickets) and Charl Henderson(3 wickets). WP was forced to include two spinners after wicketkeeper Thami Tsolokile failed a fitness test on the morning of the match and was forced to carry the drinks. Adams bowled well without success and with Henderson could form a potent attack in the second innings.

WP openers Rashaad Magiet and Graeme Smith survived three overs on Friday evening with Magiet hopeful of repeating his pre-season century against North West in September. They will face two former Province players in Eugene Moleon and Alfonso Thomas.

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