Durban – The Hollywoodbets Dolphins fell to their first defeat of the season when they were beaten by 227 runs in their 4-Day Domestic Series match against the VKB Knights in Bloemfontein on Thursday.
It was going to be a difficult task for the Dolphins to try and save the match on the fourth day of their clash needing 333 runs to win the game going into the final day at the Manaung Oval with eight wickets in hand.
The Knights bowlers continued to put the Dolphins under pressure on the final day and the visitors lost wickets regularly after they started the day on 138 for two.
Just two runs into the day the Dolphins lost Marques Ackerman after which they battled to put together any partnerships of significance under the pressure of the Knights bowling attack.
S.J. Erwee showed some good form with the bat once again, top scoring for the Dolphins and tried to keep the innings together for the side however when he was dismissed on 81 the challenge started diminishing.
Ruan de Swardt was the man not out on 36 at the end but the Dolphins fell well short of the mark when the last wicket fell with their second innings total on 243.
The Dolphins will have a week off and then welcome the Six Gun Grill Cape Cobras to Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium starting on 23 November.
VKB Knights v Hollywoodbets Dolphins
1st Innings
Knights 424
R. Van Tonder 166 M. Pretorius 62 R. de Swart 2/39
1st Innings
Dolphins 162 all out
S.J.Erwee 37 R. de Swardt 46
2nd Innings
Knights 208/4 DEC
P. van Biljon 93 S. Muthusamy 2/19
2nd Innings
Dolphins 243 all out
S.J. Erwee 81 R de Swardt 36*
VKB Knights win by 227 runs
