GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - After suffering a 116-run defeat in the Pro50 match against the Knights, the Garden Route Badgers Women dramatically turned matters around on Sunday and won the Pro20 match by two wickets with three balls to spare.

The Badgers finished fifth and sixth in the respective Hollywoodbets Pro50 and Pro20 standings, and in spite of the limited wins, their results over the two-year cycle across both formats secured their safety from relegation.

In the Pro20 match on Sunday, the Knights posted a competitive 117/8 in their allotted 20 overs. In their run chase, the Badgers were against the ropes at 75/7 in 14/5 overs, but Mieke de Ridder (24*) and Khayakazi Match (15*) held their nerve and fought back to take the Badgers over the line for a memorable victory.

In the Pro50 match, the Knights posted 215, with captain Nicolien Janse van Rensburg (5/35) the pick of the bowlers. The Badgers produced a disappointing batting performance - 99 all out to suffer a 116-run defeat.

Summarised scorecard

Pro50 match

Knights Women 215 all out - 49.2 overs (Izel Cilliers 47, Yolandi Potgieter 38, Miane Smit 332, Luyanda Nzuza 24, Nicolien Janse van Rensburg 5/35, Vuyolwethu Bonya 2/37, Gail Augusta Abrahams 2/54).

Garden Route Badgers Women all out - 28.5 overs (Mieke de Ridder 31*, Annerie Dercksen 20, Gizelle Janse van Rensburg 4/17, Luyanda Nzuza 3/16, Zintle Kula 2/16).

Knights won by 116 runs

Pro20 match

Knights Women 117/8 - 20 overs (Yolandi Potgieter 56, Miane Smit 30, Nicolien Janse van Rensburg 2/17, Annerie Dercksen 2/18, Khayakazi Mathe 2/21).

Garden Route Badgers Women 118/8 (19.3 overs) (Mieke de Ridder 24*, Annerie Dercksen 18, Julia Hoal 16, Khayakazi Mathe 15*, Gizelle Janse van Rensburg 2/19, Lucian Swartz 2/24)

Garden Route Badgers won by 2 wickets

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