Five for 83 from spinner Keshav Maharaj saw the Hollywoodbets Dolphins fight back with the ball in the afternoon session to restrict the Imperial Lions to 274 for seven at the close of play on day two of their 4-Day Domestic Series clash at Imperial Wanderers on Monday.
The Dolphins began the second day of the clash on 341 for nine with Kerwin Mungroo and Lifa Ntanzi at the crease.
Ntanzi and Mungroo then put on a 41 run partnership for the tenth wicket with the former ending on 26 while Mungroo was not out on 18.
In reply the Lions started well with an opening stand of 55 before Mungroo picked up the first wicket when he bowled Dominic Hendricks for 21.
The Dolphins were made to be patient before they could pick up the second wicket. Ryan Rickelton and Reeza Hendricks put on 134 for the second wicket.
Hendricks then became the second victim and Maharaj’s first when he was bowled for 55.
Eight runs later and the Dolphins had their third when dangerman Rassie van der Dussen was caught off Maharaj for three.
Kagiso Rapulana made nine before he became Maharaj’s third scalp, bowled for nine. At this stage the Lions were 221 for four.
A run-out was then the fifth wicket to fall when captain Nicky van den Berg was caught short for six and then Wiaan Mulder became Maharaj’s fourth wicket.
When Mulder was dismissed for 16 the Lions were 256 for six, still trailing by 119 runs.
Sisanda Magala was the final wicket to fall on the second afternoon when he was bowled for four.
Rickelton continued to hold the innings together for the Lions as he carried his bat throughout the day to finish 143 not out with Beuren Hendricks unbeaten on two.
The Lions will go into the third day with an advantage of 101 runs and needing three first innings wickets.
SUMMARY OF SCORE
1st Innings
Hollywoodbets Dolphins 375/10 (E Bosch 104 K Petersen 48 M Ackerman 48 L Sipamla 3/53 B Hendricks 3/69)
Imperial Lions 274/7 (R Rickelton 143* K Maharaj 5/83)
Lions trail by 101 runs
