A brilliant all-round performance saw the Ashleigh van Wyk-led Unicorns edge the Gryphons in a thrilling opening-round contest in the Fire and Fury Women’s T20 League at Hoërskool Die Anker in Brakpan recently.

The South Africa U19 international led from the front with the ball to deny Gryphons a second win, despite an unbeaten half-century from Robyn Dormehl.

Chasing 137 for victory, the Gryphons made a slow start and were immediately put under pressure.

Their innings got off to a runless opening over before Cadence Labuschagne was caught by Van Wyk off Thandeka Mngomezulu with the final delivery of the second over.

Marichelle Lubbe and Amogeland Motlhaolwa then wrestled back the momentum, taking 14 runs off Mngomezulu in the fourth over, with Lubbe finding the boundary three times.

The pair added 33 for the second wicket before Motlhaolwa was bowled by Princess Moloi, bringing Dormehl to the crease.

Dormehl and Lubbe briefly steadied the innings, but their partnership lasted just 27 balls before Lubbe edged Van Wyk behind, leaving the Gryphons in trouble at 87 runs required from 54 balls.

Dormehl refused to surrender, but ran out of partners as wickets fell around her. Jennifer Hall and Alicia Smith-Harding departed in quick succession before Keira Ferreira and Bruzaan Goosen followed late in the innings.

Dormehl finished unbeaten on 55 off 34 balls, but her valiant effort was not enough as the Gryphons ended on 129/7, eight runs short of their target.

Earlier, Thristan Cronjè top-scored for the Unicorns with 29, while Isla du Toit contributed 22. Pura Andreou and Phumla Ndlovu added 13 each, with Van Wyk chipping in with 11.

Zinhle Nhlapo led the Unicorns’ attack with three wickets, while Ferreira claimed two as they restricted the Unicorns to 136/8 in their 20 overs.

The competition had already got off to a flying start, with the Gryphons beating defending champions Dragons by five wickets under lights at Laerskool Impala on Friday night.

The following day, the Dragons bounced back with an eight-wicket victory over Valkyrie, while the Gryphons claimed their second win by beating Pegasus by six wickets. Phoenix defeated the Dragons by 16 runs.

On August 30, Valkyrie beat Unicorns by three wickets, while Pegasus secured their first victory after dismissing the Dragons for 48 while chasing 122.

The Gryphons then produced another dominant performance, bowling Valkyrie out for 67 before reaching their target inside seven overs to seal a 10-wicket victory – their third of the tournament.

The Fire and Fury Women’s T20 League resumes on September 4, with the competition set to conclude on September 6.