In the only completed match of the T20 Challenge at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on Monday, Marques Ackerman struck a key half-century to help Hollywoodbets Dolphins defeat KwaZulu-Natal rivals AET Tuskers by 19 runs.
The left-hander struck six fours and a six in a 36-ball 54 to help the Durban side post 151/7 before Tristan Luus took 2/30 to restrict their Pietermaritzburg rivals to 132/5.
The other match in Monday's double-header, between Momentum Multiply Titans and Auto Investment North West Dragons, lasted just 17.1 overs before rain forced the match to be abandoned and the points shared between the two sides.
The result saw the Dolphins strengthen their grip on fourth place, while the two points each saw the Dragons and Titans lose ground in fourth and fifth.
And the KZN side will be pleased with their latest performance after a strong win over their neighbours.
Batting first after losing the toss, the Dolphins found themselves in early trouble after a triple from Mbulelo Budaza (3/27) rocked their top order to leave them on 15/3.
Ackerman and Khaya Zondo (21) rebuilt the innings with a 58-run fourth wicket stand before another flurry of wickets saw the batting side fall to 92/7 - this time Smangaliso Nhlebela (2/28) and Thando Ntini (2/24) doing the damage.
But Andile Phehlukwayo (30*) and Prenelan Subrayen (28*) then added an unbroken stand of 59 to help the Dolphins reach their target of 152.
The Tuskers were never really in the game after the early loss of Cameron Delport (5). Despite the efforts of Kagiso Rapulana (43), Tian Koekemoer (26) and Keith Dudgeon (35), they fell well short.
Subrayen (1/23) and Phehlukwayo (1/28) were also among the Durban wickets.
In the second match of the day, the Titans were 139/4 when the elements struck. Rivaldo Moonsamy (33), Sibonelo Makhanya (52 off 39 balls, 4 fours, 2 sixes) and Neil Brand (25*) were among the runs for the defending champions, who had to settle for sharing the points with the Dragons.