IT’S a classic David and Goliath scenario but minnows North West did their best to upset Free State on the first day of their Supersport Series match in Potchefstroom on Thursday.
After a dismally slow first session, where North West could only manage 36 runs in 32 overs, the hosts pulled the rabbit out of the hat in the afternoon to recover from five for 103 to 205 all out.
Not the most imposing score of the season, but with Free State 34 for two at the close, it could well be a competitive one.
It was quite a turnaround after the miserly morning session which helped bowlers like seamer Johan van der Wath return figures of one wicket for one run in four overs at lunch.
Of concern for Free State, and for South Africa, for that matter, was the performance of Allan Donald.
Clearly battling with his rhythm, “White Lightning” looked more like a burnt matchstick and could only manage was one for 36 in 13 overs.
Against a side such as North West, it’s hardly spectacular stuff. That left seamer Herman Bakkes to finish best of the bowling with his three for 37.
With Free State looking for their first win of the season, after two draws, outright victory against the Dragons in this Pool B fixture is paramount.
Day one was not the ideal start.