The Hollywoodbets Dolphins narrowly lost out to the bizhunh Highveld Lions at Senwes Park at the weekend.
Durban -The Hollywoodbets Dolphins narrowly lost their tricky away RAM SLAM T20 Challenge fixture against the bizhub Highveld Lions at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on Sunday in a thriller that went down to the final delivery of the match.
Facing a target of 169 for victory, Lions openers Rassie van der Dussen and Reeza Hendricks were ruthless as they scored freely on the batter-friendly track, posting a first wicket partnership of 158, and almost getting their side home without the loss of a wicket.
Once Van der Dussen went for 67, stumped by Dane Vilas off Andile Phehlukwayo, the Dolphins’ fighting spirit turned the match on its head with the hosts needed just eleven runs off ten balls.
Phehlukwayo sent Mangaliso Moshehle back to the hut the very next ball, and then in the final over Rob Frylinck accounted for Nicky van den Bergh for just one.
The very next ball, some excellent fielding by Keshav Maharaj in the deep caught Dwaine Pretorius short of his ground at the keeper’s end, and suddenly the match was poised on a knife’s edge.
The hosts needed three runs off the last ball, and Wiaan Mulder managed to get the final ball of the match to the boundary to secure a nail-biting win by six wickets.
Earlier in the day, having won the toss and electing to bat first, the Hollwoodbets Dolphins stumbled early on when they lost prolific run scorer Sarel Erwee with the total on 4, and then Dane Vilas departed when the scoreboard had advanced to 23.
Skipper Khaya Zondo then stabilised the innings with a solid partnership with opener Morné van Wyk that looked to wrest back control of the innings from the home side.
They both departed within 13 runs of each other, bringing Sibz Makhanya to the crease. With positive support from Andile Phehlukwayo and then Rob Frylinck, Makhanya scored 46 off 34 balls to help the visitors to a total of 168/6.
The Hollywoodbets Dolphins will look forward to their home fixture against the Warriors at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on Wednesday evening, eager to stay in the hunt for a play-off berth in the fan-friendly competition.
Fans who purchased tickets to Friday night’s rained out fixture will be able to redeem those tickets for free entry at Wednesday night clash.
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