The opening round of the Cricket South Africa (CSA) 1-Day Cup kicked off with three Division One encounters on Friday.

In Paarl, Gbets Rocks took on Hollywoodbets Dolphins as the hosts won the toss and elected to bat first.

Dolphins did well with the ball to restrict Rocks to 208 all out in 48.2 overs. Janneman Malan (103) was the only resistance, and his century was supported by Ferisco Adams (49) to help the home-side set a respectable total.

Andile Phehlukwayo was the pick of the bowlers, registering 3/33, followed by Thando Ntini, Jon Jon Smuts and Andile Simelane with two wickets each and a single scalp from Eathan Bosch.

The visitors paced themselves well to reach the target in just under 46 overs. An all-round effort with contributions from Jason Smith (43), Andile Phehlukwayo (35), Bradley Porteous (33*) and Tshepang Dithole (33), and Dolphins won the game by four-wickets.

Hardus Viljoen claimed two wickets as everyone chipped in and Dolphins ended the match on 209/6.

In a nail-biting encounter in Potchefstroom, Dafabet Warriors needed eight runs off the last over for a win with just one wicket remaining. Eldred Hawken was hit for a boundary in his first delivery of the final over, before a brilliant throw from Heino Kuhn saw off Ziyaad Abrahams and North West Dragons secured a narrow two-run victory.

A heart-breaking ending for Tristan Stubbs who was unbeaten in 81* off 85. Warriors had done well to chase the highest target of the day with other notable contributions from Jordan Hermann (62). Lesiba Ngoepe  (44).

Dragons were put to the bat first when half centuries from Lesego Senokwane (79), and Senuran Muthusamy (60*) helped the hosts set a competitive total. The half centuries were backed by forties from Nicky van den Bergh (42) and Delano Potgieter (41) as Dragons set the target to 285 runs.

Beyers Swanepoel (3/46) led the charge seeing off Wesley Marshall for one, Shaylin Pillay for two, and Heino Kuhn with 12 runs.

Muthusamy also delivered a superb performance with ball, claiming three wickets.

In Centurion, Momentum Multiply Titans opted to field first against DP World Lions. The hosts were off to a good start, taking wickets regularly, as Lions found themselves on 91/4.

Ryan Rickelton powered an anchoring, run-a-ball century, amassing 126 off 126 to help Lions set a defendable target.

Rickelton, and Sisanda Magala (37) combined for 111 runs and Evan Jones’ (41* off 35) saw the visitors end the innings on 271/8.

Magala continued where he left off with bat as he saw off the top order, to dismiss openers, Jiveshan Pillay without any runs, Neil Brand for four, and Dewald Brevis with nine runs.

Aiden Markram delivered an anchoring 80 off 62 to help stabilize the innings, before he was caught and bowled by Liam Alder in the 26^thover.

A powerful knock from Junior Dala towards the end brought the game back for the hosts. Dala (62) batted his way to a maiden List A half-century, promising an unlikely victory for the home team. He shared 64 runs with Aaron Phangiso (19) for the nineth wicket and 26 runs for the final wicket with Okuhle Cele (6*) and Titans ended the innings on 233 all out.

The CSA 1-Day Cup continues on Saturday, 03 December 2022 as the Division 2 campaigns commence.