DURBAN: The Hollywoodbets Pro Series, encompassing both the Hollywoodbets Pro50 and Pro20 Competitions, kicked off on Friday with an exciting weekend of cricket.
In the Hollywoodbets Pro20, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins Ladies secured a thrilling two-wicket victory over the Fidelity Titans, successfully chasing down a target of 116.
Titans’ Robyn Searle (38), Eliz-Mari Marx (26), and Chanel Venter (24) contributed to their total of 116/8.
Dolphins responded with a determined effort, led by Nondumiso Shangase (33) and Yasmeen Khan (21), reaching 118/8 with four balls remaining.
Saturday saw the start of the Hollywoodbets Pro50 competition, with Knights taking on the DP World Lions Women in Bloemfontein, while the Dolphins faced the Titans Women in Durban.
At the Mangaung Oval, SA U19 Women, Karabo Meso and Jenna Evans were unstoppable for the Lions.
Meso recorded her maiden century, scoring a brilliant 128 off 129 balls. Evans contributed with an unbeaten 65, while fellow national teammate, Diara Ramlakan, added 36 runs, bringing the Lions’ total to an impressive 296/7 in their allotted 50 overs.
The Knights’ response fell short as they were bowled out for 180. Captain Zintle Kula’s valiant half-century and three-wicket haul were not enough to turn the tide.
Kula was supported by Verunissa Reddy’s fifty and a solid 30 from last season’s Women’s Domestic Player of the Year and SACA MVP, Yolandi Potgieter. Evans also shone with the ball, claiming 4/18 in 5.1 overs.
In Durban, Dolphins carried their momentum into the Pro50 clash. Titans, batting first, posted 207/10 with key contributions from Searle (59), Tebogo Macheke (36), and twenties from Kay-Leigh Tapp and Venter.
Dolphins paced their chase well, with half centuries from Asamkele Kawu (63) and Shangase (62), steering the team to victory with 208/8 in 42 overs, winning by two wickets.
The opening weekend concluded on Sunday with retribution for the Knights, who secured a commanding six-wicket win over Lions in the Pro20.
After opting to bowl first, Knights restricted Lions to 115/5 in their 20 overs, as Nonkululeko Thabethe top-scored with an unbeaten 52 and Evans adding 23* runs.
In response, Izel Cilliers anchored the Knights’ innings with an unbeaten 54*, guiding the team to victory with two balls to spare.
The opening weekend of the Hollywoodbets Pro Series delivered electric performances, setting the stage for a fiercely competitive season ahead.
UPCOMING HOLLYWOODBETS PRO SERIES MATCHES
HOLLYWOODBETS PRO50
Saturday, 12 October – 10h00
World Sports Betting Western Province vs Knights – WSB Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town
Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers vs Hollywoodbets Dolphins – Recreation Ground, Oudtshoorn
HOLLYWOODBETS PRO20
Sunday, 13 October – 10h00
World Sports Betting Western Province vs Knights – WSB Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town
Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers vs Hollywoodbets Dolphins – Recreation Ground, Oudtshoorn
Source: cricket.co.za
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