The Itec Knights beat the Hollywoodbets Dolphins by seven runs in the final of the CSA T20 Knock Out in Kimberley on Friday.
Bowling first the Dolphins managed to keep the Knights top order in check for the early part of the innings with Ottniel Baartman and Daryn Dupavillon again impressing with the new ball.
Dupavillon bagged the wicket of Rynard van Tonder in the first over and 36 runs later the dangerous Rilee Rossouw was dismissed for 28 by Thando Ntini.
Patrick Kruger and skipper Pite van Biljoen combined in a dominant stand that saw the Knights add 86 runs in just 53 deliveries before Van Biljoen was dismissed for a well-played 42 off just 25 balls – bowled by Jason Smith.
Kruger’s anchoring innings was the mainstay throughout for the Bloemfontein men and he eventually fell in the nineteenth over for 61, caught by Baartman off the bowling of Ntini.
Farhaan Behardien ended the innings off for the Knights with 29 not out off just 18 balls as they set the Dolphins 177 to win the T20 Knock Out.
In reply the Dolphins tried valiantly to keep with the required rate and took the match as close to the end as they could.
Sarel Erwee and Khaya Zondo’s partnership was 51 runs for the third wicket gave the Dolphins a chance before Erwee fell for 27. Zondo was dismissed for 43 and the Dolphins still had a slither of hope.
Bryce Parsons and Jason Smith’s stand was their lifeline and their 52 run partnership took the Dolphins into the nineteenth over before Parson’s fell for 35.
Smith put in a valiant effort in the final two overs where he scored 25 runs but it wasn’t enough as they ended seven runs short giving the Knights the first trophy of the season.
