The Hollywoodbets Dolphins beat the defending champions the Gbets Rocks by 20 runs on Wednesday thanks to another strong bowling performance to claim the second spot in the CSA T20 Challenge final this weekend.
With 147 to defend, the Dolphins’ bowlers once again produced an all-round display that saw them home after they lost the toss.
Batting first in the second semi-final, the Dolphins were patient for the first period and got to 42 before Keegan Petersen fell for 25 off 19 deliveries.
Jon-Jon Smuts and Tshepang Dithole followed in quick succession for six and four respectively leaving the Dolphins 64 for three in the tenth over.
Dolphins batting star Grant Roelofsen was the next wicket to fall for a reserved 26 off 30 balls as the Dolphins searched for impetus in the second half of the innings.
The Dolphins then tumbled slightly with Khaya Zondo being dismissed for 18 off 12 balls before Andile Simelane was stumped for a duck.
This saw the Durban side 91 for six with six overs left.
Jason Smith and Eathan Bosch added 25 before the latter was caught for seven while Smith’s 22 helped the Dolphins past 120.
Captain Prenelan Subrayen scored a crucial 22 off eleven balls at the end of the innings as the Dolphins ended on 146 all out.
Eathan Bosch started brightly with the ball dismissing Leus du Plooy in the first over of the chase.
41 runs later and the Dolphins had a second wicket when Clyde Fortuin was Smuts’ first wicket.
The Dolphins picked up four wickets for twelve runs with Smuts and Subrayen picking up two wickets each to see the Rocks 58 for five in the eleventh over.
One of those wickets was the set Janneman Malan who was stumped off the bowling of Subrayen for 37 off 39 balls.
Subrayen got his third when Ferisco Adams became Roelofsen’s second stumping victim seeing the Rocks reeling at 67 for six.
An injured Subrayen finished with figures of three for 18 in his four overs.
Smuts finished his four overs with two for 17 which saw the Dolphins spinners pick up five for 35 which put the pressure firmly on the Rocks.
Farhaan Behardien and Hardus Viljoen threatened with a solid partnership before Ottniel Baartman got his first wicket when Viljoen was caught in the deep for 22.
Daryn Dupavillon held his nerve in the penultimate over to give Baartman 25 to defend in the final over.
A run-out on the first ball of the last over saw the Rocks 122 for eight and Baartman conceded just four to see the Dolphins to a 20-run win.
They will play the Momentum Multiply Titans in the CSA T20 Challenge final on Saturday.
SUMMARY OF RESULT
- Hollywoodbets Dolphins 146 all out (G Roelofsen 26 K Petersen 25 J Smith 22 P Subrayen 22)
- Gbets Rocks 126/8 (J Malan 37 F Behardien 31 P Subrayen 3/18 J Smuts 2/17)
- Dolphins win by 20 runs
