A sublime unbeaten 190-run partnership for the fifth wicket from Chris Britz (94* from 108 balls) and Senuran Muthusamy (88* from 94 balls) played a major role in the North West Dragons claiming a 7 run (DLS) victory against the Dolphins at the J.B. Marks Oval on Sunday, 11 December.

This CSA One Day Challenge match finished in the rain in a dramatic climax as Dolphins all-rounder, Andile Phehlukwayo  was caught in the deep on 46 (31) as he attempted to hit Kerwin Mungroo (1/22) for a six.

14 runs were needed off the final over, but Mongroo kept his nerve against his former team-mate.

Photos: Wouter Pienaar

Rain intervened and at that stage with the score on 239/9 (target of 247) the Dragons could breathe a sigh of relief in claiming a hard-fought win. The Dragons bowlers got wickets at crucial times in the match with Renaldo Meyer’s (4/22) vital in the context of the match.

Proteas all-rounder, Dwaine Pretorius, also returned to the mix and picked up figures of 1/57. Senuran Muthusamy (2/44) also starred against his former side.

The Dragons bowlers were terrific and had a strong Dolphins batting line-up on 190/8 at one stage, but Phehleukwayo added more drama as he almost single-handedly won the game for the Dolphins with four big sixes.

The game had everything with both sides having the advantage at various stages in the match.

The Dragons were in a spot of bother on 4/43 batting first, but then Britz and Muthusamy put on a fightback of note. It was a coming of age knock for the 24-year old Britz who delivered under pressure in his best knock yet for the Dragons. He hit 7 delightful fours and 3 sixes en route to a career best score. The experienced Muthusamy (6 fours and 1 six) played a characteristic knock as he showed his composure to dig the Dragons out of a hole.

The Dragons next face the Lions on Wednesday, 14 December, in a day/night fixture at the Wanderers and will hope to get their fourth win of the competition.

CSA One Day Challenge Division 1 table: