POTCHEFSTROOM: Rubin Hermann recorded his maiden century as Auto Investment North West Dragons recorded their first win of the 2023/24 T20 Challenge season, while there were wins for DP World Lions and Hollywoodbets Dolphins in the latest set of games on Friday.
Recently-crowned CSA 4-Day Series champions won the tightest of the games when they inflicted a second straight loss on reigning champions Momentum Multiply Titans, edging them out by one run in a last-ball thriller at DP World Wanderers Stadium.
Set 184 for victory after winning the toss and choosing to bowl, the visitors were on course for victory when they reached 146/3 just after the 16-over mark thanks to a 52-ball 88 (6 fours, 6 sixes) by Rivaldo Moonsamy.
But the tide turned from there as Codi Yusuf (2/48) landed two crucial blows to leave the Titans struggling at 168 for six.
They refused to give in, though, and needing 14 off the final over sent down by Proteas star Kagiso Rabada (1/24), brought the equation down to two off the final ball thanks in the main to Aaron Phangiso (9*), before only managing a bye to hand the win to the Lions.
Bjorn Fortuin finished as the best of the bowlers with 2/23.
Earlier, the home side needed runs from their lower order to help them reach a competitive 183/5 after they had slumped to 54/4. Wiaan Mulder (48), Mitchell van Buuren (37*) and Delano Potgieter (32*) provided those runs, which proved crucial in the final outcome as the Lions made it three wins from four to move second.
Elsewhere, on Friday a brilliant ton by Hermann helped the Dragons flatten AET Tuskers for a massive 125-run bonus-point win, their first of the term against the winless KwaZulu-Natal side.
In a home match for the Tuskers, moved to the North West on account of venue challenges in Pietermaritzburg, the locals batted first and notched up a fine 207/4.
Hermann was the stand-out performer with his career-best 102 (54 balls, 11 fours, 3 sixes), while Meeka-eel Prince made 58 (34 balls, 5 fours, 3 sixes).
Former KZN duo, Senuran Muthusamy (3/16) and Kerwin Mungroo (2/14), were the pick of a fine bowling display that also saw Caleb Seleka grab 2/16 – Tuskers blown away for 82 in 14.5 overs.
Finally in Paarl, there the Dolphins bounced back from consecutive losses with a second successive win after they thumped Gbets Rocks by nine wickets for a bonus-point win of their own at Eurolux Boland Park.
Bowling first, the Durban side restricted their hosts to a poor 125/8 with two wickets each for Daryn Dupavillion (2/30), Okuhle Cele (2/27), Ottniel Baartman (2/26) and Prenelan Subrayen (2/19).
The Dolphins needed just 14.3 overs to chase down the score with Grant Roelofsen (71* off 45 balls, 8 fours, 2 sixes) doing most of the damage along with Bryce Parsons (47).
The pair put on 108 for the first wicket, before the former took his side home with 33 balls to spare.
Source: cricket.co.za
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