Lions toppled by rampant Cape Cobras

THE CAPE Cobras jumped to the top of the RamSlam T20 Challenge log with a comprehensive 77-run victory over the Highveld Lions at Newlands in Cape Town yesterday.

The Lions, who topped the log before their trip to Cape Town, were blown away by a rampant performance from the home team. The Cobras also recorded a bonus point for their efforts.

The victory was built on a solid batting display, despite petering off in the last five overs, as the Cobras posted 155/2 after captain Justin Ontong won the toss and elected to bat under cloudy skies. The innings was built on two solid contributions from top-order batsmen Dane Vilas (51) and Omphile Ramela (46).

The pair shared a 54-run partnership for the third wicket and provided the innings with much-needed impetus after Richard Levi (25) had a much more sedate start than usual.

Ramela was particularly good through the off-side as the left-hander either carved the ball through or over the cover fielders to keep the scoreboard ticking along.

However, it was Vilas who really put his foot on the accelerator with a couple of sixes over deep mid-wicket for six.

West Indies import Kieron Pollard and Ontong could not provide the innings with a late flurry, but the Cobras still had a total that was dependable, especially if they could dismiss the dangerous Chris Gayle early on in the run chase.

And that is exactly what young Cobras seamer Dane Patterson achieved in the second over when the big left-hander played on to his stumps to send Patterson and Newlands into raptures. The Lions sunk further into the quagmire after Alviro Petersen was caught behind, off Pollard to leave the visitors reeling at 21/2.

The experienced Neil McKenzie (31) and Temba Bavuma (20) attempted to resurrect the Lions innings with a 34-run partnership, but the resistance ended when McKenzie failed to clear his counterpart Ontong at mid-on. Bavuma perished when he attempted a slogsweep off left-arm spinner George Linder, but did not have sufficient elevation.

The Lions did not offer much resistance after that as they lost their last seven wickets for 22 runs to be dismissed for a paltry 77. Patterson and Linde were the chief destroyers with both bowlers claiming three wickets apiece.

In a rain-reduced affair, the Titans tied with the Warriors in their at Centurion.

Due to the loss of time for the delay, no super over could be used to separate the sides as they shared two points each for their efforts. After a two hour rain delay, the match was reduced to eight overs each and the Warriors inserted the Titans to bat.

Set 80 to win, the visitors needed six runs to win off the final over, but the Warriors could not get over the line as Titans bowler David Wiese restricted the batting side to five runs. – Sapa