Rubin Hermann scored his first century as Auto Investment North West Dragons secured their first victory of the 2023/24 T20 Challenge season. DP World Lions and Hollywoodbets Dolphins also won their respective matches on Friday.
The recently-crowned CSA 4-Day Series champions won a nail-biting match against the reigning champions Momentum Multiply Titans, defeating them by just one run in a last-ball thriller at DP World Wanderers Stadium.
The visitors were set a target of 184 runs after winning the toss and choosing to bowl. They were in a strong position at 146/3 just after the 16-over mark, thanks to Rivaldo Moonsamy's impressive 52-ball 88 (6 fours, 6 sixes).
The Titans' fortunes changed as Codi Yusuf (2/48) delivered two crucial blows, leaving them struggling at 168 for six.
Despite the setback, they persevered and managed to bring the equation down to two off the final ball, thanks mainly to Aaron Phangiso's (9*) efforts. Unfortunately, they could only manage a bye, handing the victory to the Lions.
Bjorn Fortuin was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 2/23.
The home team was struggling at 54/4, but their lower order batsmen, Wiaan Mulder (48), Mitchell van Buuren (37*), and Delano Potgieter (32*), helped them reach a competitive total of 183/5. This proved crucial in the final outcome as the Lions secured their third win out of four matches, moving them up to second place.
On Friday, Hermann's brilliant century helped the Dragons secure a massive 125-run bonus-point victory over the winless KwaZulu-Natal side, AET Tuskers.
The match was played at a different venue in the North West due to venue challenges in Pietermaritzburg. The Tuskers batted first and scored an impressive 207/4.
Hermann was the top performer, achieving his career-best score of 102 (54 balls, 11 fours, 3 sixes), while Meeka-eel Prince scored 58 (34 balls, 5 fours, 3 sixes).
The bowling display was excellent, with former KZN duo Senuran Muthusamy (3/16) and Kerwin Mungroo (2/14) being the standout performers. Caleb Seleka also contributed with 2/16. The Tuskers were dismissed for 82 in just 14.5 overs.
Finally, in Paarl, the Dolphins bounced back from back-to-back defeats with a second successive win, beating Gbets Rocks by nine wickets to claim a bonus-point victory at Eurolux Boland Park.
Bowling first, the Durban side restricted their hosts to a poor 125/8. Daryn Dupavillion, Okuhle Cele, Ottniel Baartman, and Prenelan Subrayen each took two wickets.
The Dolphins chased down the score in just 14.3 overs with Grant Roelofsen (71* off 45 balls, 8 fours, 2 sixes) and Bryce Parsons (47) putting on 108 for the first wicket.
Roelofsen then took his side home with 33 balls to spare.