In an action-packed final round-robin stage of the T20 Challenge, Division 1 teams battled it out for playoff contention on Saturday.
In the top of the table clash at JB Marks Oval, the DP World Lions edged out Auto Investments North West Dragons by a narrow five-run win in Potchefstroom.
Lions, having won the toss, elected to bat first and posted a competitive total of 170/3. Connor Esterhuizen led the pride with an unbeaten 62 off 39 balls, while Rassie van der Dussen (59) contributed another half century in the innings.
In response, the Dragons came close but fell just short, finishing on 165/6. Youngster, Ludwich Schuld, top-scored with 60, supported by Marco Jansen (29) and Wihan Lubbe (21), leaving the hosts five runs shy of the target.
In Gqeberha, Momentum Multiply Titans secured a commanding six-wicket victory over the Dafabet Warriors (via DLS Method) to finish second on the standings.
A must-win encounter for the Warriors to secure a playoff spot, Titans opted to field first. Jordan Hermann’s brilliant century (101) anchored the Warriors to a total of 179/6.
However, inclement weather intervened, and Titans were set a revised target of 174. Half-centuries from Rivaldo Moonsamy (73) and Dayyaan Galiem (55) proved crucial as Titans comfortably chased the target, winning by six wickets with a final score of 174/4.
Meanwhile in Durban, Goldrush Boland were victorious against the Hollywoodbets Dolphins.
Boland required a bonus-point victory along with favourable results elsewhere to advance in the competition.
After the Dolphins won the toss and chose to field, Boland posted 167/4, with Shaun von Berg leading the way with a half-century, while Keith Dudgeon (36) and Lehan Botha (31) made valuable contributions.
The Dolphins struggled in their chase, reaching 85/5 after 10 overs in this rain-interrupted encounter and the visitors secured a narrow four-run win.
The format for the playoffs:
Qualifier 1: The top two teams in the points table face off. The winner advances directly to the final, while the loser gets a second shot in Qualifier 2.
Eliminator: Teams finishing third and fourth play this knockout game, with the winner advancing to Qualifier 2.
Qualifier 2: The loser of Qualifier 1 meets the winner of the Eliminator to determine the second finalist.
Final: The winners of Qualifier 1 and Qualifier 2 face off to crown the champion.
UPCOMING T20 CHALLENGE MATCHES:
Qualifier 1: Tuesday, 22 October 2024 @18h00: DP World Lions vs Momentum Multiply Titans – DP World Wanderers, Johannesburg.
Eliminator: Wednesday, 23 October 2024 @18h00: Auto Investments North West Dragons vs World Sports Betting Western Province – DP World Wanderers.
Qualifier 2: Friday, 25 October 2024 @18h00: TBC
Final: Sunday, 27 October 2024 @14h00: TBC
UPCOMING T20 KNOCKOUT MATCHES:
Final: Sunday, 20 October 2024: Eastern Storm vs ACDC Express Tuskers – Willowmoore Park, Benoni
