The SWD Women’s team made a remarkable impact on the CSA Provincial Women’s Challenge the past weekend when they defeated both Border and Eastern Province in matches as played in Oudtshoorn over the weekend. The SWD ladies comprehensively beat Border by 76 runs on Saturday and then, in severe heat conditions on Sunday beat Eastern Province in a nail-biting match by one wicket. Although it was a gutsy team effort in both instances, captain Annemie Koen, was outstanding in both victories.
Against Border the home team won the toss and thanks to a 106 runs partnership for the 5th wicket (in 93 minutes) between Koen (53*; 107 balls, 2×4) and Monique Booysen (69; 89 balls, 3×4) scored 166/5 in their allotted 50 overs. Marnizelle Rabie (5/25) recorded her best bowling figures for SWD to dismiss Border for on 90 runs to ensure full match points for the SWD women.
In the match against Eastern Province an opening partnership of 91 runs between Gillian Forbes (36) and Lanette Pienaar (51) encouraged the visitors batting hopes but disciplined bowling from Monique Booysen (2/24), Michaela Andrews (2/10) and Janet Winster (2/31) restricted EP to 146 all out. Koen (43; 79 balls, 5×4) with a sheet anchor innings, was the back bone of the SWD’s run chase when they reached the target (147/9) in the 42nd over for a one wicket victory.
Both Koen and Booysen were included in the Eastern Cape team who will have a training camp in Port Elizabeth over the weekend.
