The DP World Lions ladies team upset the existing order of things in the Hollywoodbets Pro50 in Johannesburg at the weekend, toppling the previously-unbeaten World Sports Betting Western Province side with a bonus point to replace them in second place on the log.
Western Province had won the toss and sent the DP World Lions in to bat, picking up the important wickets of Proteas Tazmin Brits (14) and Sinalo Jafta (9) in the first 10 overs.
The tenacity of opener Nonkhululeko Thabethe (27) took her through to 20 overs, but when she fell, #ThePrideOfJozi were 73 for four.
But the experience of Sunette Viljoen-Louw, now batting in the middle-order, is an obvious strength of the DP World Lions, and the fightback began when she came to the crease.
The 41-year-old former Olympic silver medalist and Proteas player formed superb partnerships with the lower-order as the DP World Lions posted a most competitive 272 for nine in their 50 overs.
Karabo Meso, just 17 years old, scored 28 as she added 54 for the fifth wicket with Viljoen-Louw. The in-form Jenna Evans then scored a brisk 27 in a partnership of 79 for the sixth wicket, and Fay Cowling stroked the ball all around the DP World Wanderers Stadium in her 29 off just 19 deliveries, as she and Viljoen put on 34 for the seventh wicket.
Coming off a hugely successful season in British club cricket, Viljoen-Louw was out in the final over for a memorable 93 off 94 balls, with 11 elegant fours and a mighty six.
Western Province began their chase in ferocious fashion, with former Proteas captain Dane’ van Niekerk taking them to 94 for two after 13 overs.
But like the Empire in Star Wars, once the DP World Lions found the chinks to weaken them, their collapse was brutal.
Cowling removed opener Babette de Leede after she had bashed two boundaries in three balls, and then the lanky seamer returned in the 14th over to have Van Nierkerk superbly caught by Meso, diving at point.
DP World Lions captain Kgomotso Rapoo then produced a marvelous spell of mesmerizing spin bowling to run through the rest of the Western Province batting, taking five for 44 in eight overs as the visitors were bowled out for 184 in just 27-and-a-half overs.
Following their 88-run win in the Pro50 match, the DP World Lions conceded a mighty 198 for four in the Hollywoodbets Pro20 game.
Spinner Evans was the most impressive of the bowlers with two for 33 in her four overs.
Faced with such a big score, the DP World Lions did not produce their best with the bat, eventually being restricted to 142 for nine in their 20 overs, losing by 56 runs.
That was despite the stunning start given to them by Viljoen-Louw (29 off 25) and Brits (40 off 25).
