We wrap the final day of round 1 of the CSA T20 Challenge which saw North West get their second win and the Lions their first.
North West Dragons vs Knights
North West Dragons pulled off an exquisite win to take them to the top of the log. It was their bowlers that set up the victory by throttling the winless Knights for 94/9.
It was a collective bowling effort from the Dragons who used 7 bowling options. Senuran Muthasamy (2-8), Johannes Diseko (2-19), Duan Jansen (1-16) and Dwaine Pretorius (1-13), coupled with some great fielding including 3 run outs, was the key factor to setting up the demanding victory.
The North West batters went out to the middle and played with freedom. Wesley Marshall (43 off 29 balls) hit 5 fours and 2 sixes, which gave his side a great start and his 69-run partnership with Heino Kuhn (30 off 20 balls), pretty much sealed the victory.
Dwaine Pretorius’ six and four also added some punch into their chase, with a 13 off 8 balls cameo.
North West pulled off a comfortable 8-wicket win with 9.5 overs remaining.
Lions vs Dolphins
The Lions came out with attacking intent from the start. They scored 156 despite losing wickets upfront. Shane Dadswell scored 42 off 28 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes and Sisanda Magala scored 37 from 27 balls with 4 fours and a six. This was the bulk of the runs scored.
The Dolphins did pull it back well, particularly due to Jason Smith’s effort at the death. He took 3-16 in 3 overs. Ruan de Swardt was also lethal with the ball, he took 3-32 in four overs.
The Lions made the chase tricky for the Dolphins. Bjorn Fortuin and Codi Yusuf were key to rattling them at the top. Fortuin dismissed Phehlukwayo and Keegan Petersen, while Yusuf took out the dangerous David Miller. Sisanda Magala dismissed Grant Roelofsen after 34 off 26 balls.
Khaya Zondo (35 off 32 balls) managed to turn things up after going less than a run a ball, but he was cleaned bowled by Magala with a perfect yorker, after a very tidy 17th over.
Jason Smith tried to do the business again for his side, but this time with the bat, but was run out on 39 off 34 balls in the final over, the Dolphins needing 19 off 5 for the win.
Malusi Soboto dismissed Smith, followed by Prenelan Subrayen as the Lions all but confirmed a victory.
The Lions were better with the bat, ball and in the field as they claimed an 8-run win.
