The Highveld Lions ended a 15-year wait for Sunfoil success when they bowled out the Dolphins with just five balls remaining in Durban on Sunday.
The win gives them an unassailable position on top of the log with one game remaining, more than 29.5 points clear of the Dolphins.
It was a remarkable win, considering they had decided to bat on through Sunday morning. They had a lead of 361 overnight, but they pushed on until shortly before lunch, ending on 355 for seven and offering a target of 471. While the overnight batsmen, Stephen Cook (143) and Rassie van der Dussen (78) went early, Temba Bavuma was given licence to hammer a quick 60 off 75 balls and put the game well out of the Dolphins reach
The Dolphins, as they had to, attacked immediately and for most of the innings were running at well over five an over and occasionally touching six, even though wickets were falling regularly. Khaya Zondo contributed 72 off 70 balls and Daniel Sincuba 50 off 77. It was only when all hope was lost that Morne van Wyk dug in to save the game, ending unbeaten on 50 when Daryn Dupavillon was trapped lbw in the last over.
Legspinner Eddie Leie broke the back of the innings, taking four for 99.
Warriors v Knights, East London
The Chevrolet Knights bowled themselves into a comfortable mid-table position in the Sunfoil Series as they beat the Chevrolet Warriors by 93 runs at Buffalo Park.
Having declared in what turned out to be the final act of the third day, the Knights set the Warriors a target of 331 in 104 overs.
Although the Warriors made a solid start to their chase on the final morning as they reached 128 for one, the Knights stuck to their guns and ultimately bowled the Warriors out for 238 with plenty of time to spare.
They picked up 16.46 points as a result and consolidated fourth place on the table, where they enjoy an 11-point lead over the fifth-placed Warriors with one round of games to play.
Titans v Cape Cobras, Benoni
Dean Elgar, resuming the day on 159, moved on to 208 as the Titans batted their way out of trouble and ensure the draw in Benoni. After the early dismissal of Theunis de Bruyn (60). Elgar and Van Buuren opened up to score 86 off 10 overs.
The entertainment was cut short when Elgar retired hurt after seven and a half hours at the crease, and soon after the clouds decided that enough was enough sent the players scurrying for cover. Graeme van Buuren was unbeaten on 56 from just 67 deliveries.
The Titans ended on 421 for three, still trailing the Cobras’ first innings total by 63 runs. The Cobras returned to the bottom of the table on 66.26 while the Titans remained third on 91.70
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