Cape Cobras seal a home final as Lions lose to Dolphins

ANY HOPES of the Lions finishing top of the log ended yesterday, with a five-wicket defeat to the Dolphins in their RamSlam challenge match in Bloemfontein.

The Dolphins stuttered somewhat in their chase of a moderate 122 to win set by the Lions, but in the end they ran out comfortable victors with five balls to spare.

Dolphins batsman David Miller did enough with 42 not out from 37 balls, and a 54-run stand with Khaya Zondo (28) for the third wicket, to steer his side home for just their third win of their campaign as defending champions in the competition.

The Lions struggled to reach 121/7 in their 20 overs.

Back from Proteas duty, Quinton de Kock (9) joined West Indian Chris Gayle (6) at the top of the order, but both openers were out inside the first five overs as Dolphins bowler Robbie Frylinck collected their prized scalps.

Wickets continued to tumble with Rassie van der Dussen the best score of the top six with just 20 to his name before he was dismissed.

Chris Morris, coming in at No7, scored 37 runs from 22 balls to restore a semblance of respectability to the Lions score, but still the Dolphins were left chasing a score at only a shade over a run a ball.

Dwayne Bravo ended with the best figures for the Dolphins with 2/24 in his four overs.

Meanwhile, Robin Peterson made a telling contribution on his return from Proteas duty as the Cobras beat the Knights by eight runs to wrap up a home final.

The Knights had made good early progress in their chase of 146 when Peterson was introduced, and he struck twice with his first 10 deliveries before going on to record figures of 3/21 as the Knights managed 137/4 in reply.

The Cobras opened up a sevenpoint lead at the top of the table as a result, and with just one game remaining they can no longer be caught.

They will now host the final at Newlands on December 12, while the Lions and Knights will tussle at the Diamond Oval on Wednesday to see who will host the playoff next Sunday.

The Knights will have to beat the Lions with a bonus point to get hosting rights as the Lions have more wins which will be decisive if the teams finish level on points.

The Cobras total was set up by a wise piece of planning, with the brains trust noting the lack of pace and bounce in the pitch during the first game of the triple-header and deciding to be cautious up front and keep wickets in hand.

Richard Levi and Andrew Puttick, therefore, batted through the first half of the innings for a partnership of 54, before Omphile Ramela played a more carefree knock of 34 from 24 balls.

Levi (64) took advantage of being dropped twice in two shots when he was in the 30s to bring up his fourth half-century of the tournament and carry the Cobras to 145/4.

The Knights made a positive start to their chase, with Gerhardt Abrahams and Reeza Hendricks putting on 41 for the first wicket, but struggled to recover from Peterson’s intervention.

By the time Rudi Second (50 not out from 33 balls) and Tumelo Bodibe (30 not out) constructed a partnership of 78 for the fifth wicket, the required rate was beyond them and the Cobras walked away comfortable victors. – Sapa