THE Hollywoodbets Dolphins fell agonisingly short of a CSA T20 Challenge title when the DP Lions beat them by seven wickets at the Wanderers on Sunday.

The Dolphins had shown great form to get themselves into a position where they made the final but were unable to replicate that form in the final.

The Dolphins batted first and had a half century from Jason Smith to thank which got them to 165/8 in their 20 overs.

Smith top scored with 51 off 33 balls which included five fours and one six, while 37 from Khaya Zondo also played an important part.

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In reply, the Lions got off to a steady start before Dolphins bowler Okuhle Cele dismissed Ryan Rickelton for 18.

Reeza Hendricks was the rock for the Lions and made 73 not out.

Hendricks and Wiaan Mulder then put together a partnership of 85 which took them over the line.

Mulder finished 55 not out off 26 balls as the Lions won with 14 balls to spare.

In the lead-up to the final, the Dolphins had gone on a run of six wins in the row in the competition. They were beaten by the Lions in the match at the Wanderers but beat the Johannesburg side in the match at Kingsmead earlier in the season.

The final though capped off a strong showing by the Durban franchise.

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