KIMBERLEY (January 10) - Griqualand West scored their highest total in a limited overs match to cruise to a comfortable 167-run victory over North West in the Standard Bank Cup on Wednesday evening. The home team's total of 318 for nine wickets in their 45 overs was also the third highest in the history of the competition.

North West could only manage 151 all out in 31.4 overs.

Griquas' victory was set up by a superb opening partnership of 173 between Pieter Koortzen and Loots Bosman. Their stand fell 13 runs short of Griquas' first-wicket record partnership, also scored against North West last season.

Koortzen produced his best first class performance of 134, scored off 103 balls and including 15 fours and four sixes before he played a delivery from Garth Roe onto his own wicket.

Koortzen had previously come desperately close to a century with two scores of 99 against Free State and KwaZulu-Natal this season.

Bosman's 86 was equally impressive, coming off 48 balls and including 11 fours and five sixes.

North West were always going to be found wanting against that kind of performance. Burton de Wet and Mark Lavine stood out with a 54-run partnership for the fourth wicket, scored off 57 balls. Lavine led the scoring for his team with a 46 off 35 balls and featuring six fours and one six.

Griquas seamer Johann Louw led the home team's bowling attack with a superb performance that saw him claim five wickets for 43 runs.

Louw came close to his hat-trick when he took three wickets in four balls, sending Mark Strydom and Alfonso Thomas back to the changeroom before being denied the honour by Garth Roe. But Roe went with the very next ball to cap a solid performance by Louw.

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