The Hollywoodbets Dolphins made it two-from-two as they beat the VKB Knights by 53 runs in their Pool A Momentum One Day Cup clash at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on Sunday, thanks to a classy knock from opener Grant Roelofsen and a solid all-round contribution from Robbie Frylinck.
A day after their bonus-point win over the Momentum Multiply Titans, the Dolphins batted first and lost opener Marques Ackerman in the third over, before Ruan de Swart and Roelofsen wrested control of the match back with a 90 run second wicket partnership.
When de Swart fell for 36, trapped lbw by Kagiso Mohale, Dave Miller joined Roelofsen at the crease and found runs in a combination of sensible shot selection and punishing the loose deliveries from the Knights bowlers.
Roelofsen led that charge before he fell for 92 off 101 balls, including ten fours and a six, and his partnership with Miller took the defending champions to 172/3 after 34 overs.
Khaya Zondo and Andile Phehlukwayo offered more support to Miller as the Dolphins looked poised to post a daunting target. Miller’s 57 came off 66 deliveries, mostly judicious strokeplay, to leave the Dolphins at 233/6 with five overs to go in their innings.
Senuran Muthusamy’s run out chasing runs brought Robbie Frylinck to the crease and the Dolphins veteran produced a staggering onslaught as he bludgeoned 37 off 18 balls, including five fours and a six.
That allowed the Dolphins to close on an imposing 290/8, leaving the Free Staters with a massive mountain to climb in the North West.
Fresh from his aggressive display with the bat, Frylinck produced a masterclass of tight lines as the Knights started their run-chase, quickly building pressure through his miserly eight over spell that yielded two wickets and cost just fourteen runs.
With the asking run rate climbing the Knights were constantly under pressure. Andries Gous anchored their top order until he was bowled by a peach of a delivery from Frylinck to leave the Bloemfontein outfit at 137/3 at the halfway point in their innings.
Petrus van Biljon and Farhaan Behardien both got starts, but when a moment of magic from Ruan de Swart led to the dangerous Behardien being run out, the Dolphins found themselves holding all the cards.
Kagiso Mohale was Prenelan Subrayen’s second wicket, and closed the Knights innings on 237, handing the Dolphins their second win in succession, and in the pound seats in their bid to defend their title.
