Bizhub Highveld Lions hit a low on Friday January 31, when they played their penultimate RAM SLAM T20 against the Cape Cobras and then bounced back beating Sunfoil Dolphins on Sunday February 2, their last for this campaign.
Cobras dismissed a much-changed Lions line-up for just 102 in 17.1 overs after putting the home side in to bat, and then chased the target down in 15.3 overs to record a thumping seven-wicket win.
The five points picked up by the Cobras gave them a seven-point gap over the Sunfoil Dolphins, who were also in action on Friday night in a rain-interrupted game against the Chevrolet Knights.
There were no fewer than six ducks on the Lions scorecard and just two scores in double figures as Vernon Philander, Beuran Hendricks and Robin Peterson ripped through the batting order, picking up three wickets apiece.
Quinton de Kock’s 46 and Chris Morris’ 41 made up the very large majority of the lowest score of the 2013/2014 RAM SLAM T20 season.
The Cobras were on track for the bonus point throughout their chase as Richard Levi (24), Dane Vilas (26) and Stiaan van Zyl (24) scored at a run-a-ball before Justin Ontong and JP Duminy finished the chase.
bizhub Highveld Lions finally recorded a RAM SLAM T20 win in the 2013/2014 season as they beat the Sunfoil Dolphins at Bidvest Wanderers on Sunday, but the result had no effect on the Dolphins, as they remained second to set up a home qualifier on Wednesday.
The Lions had endured a miserable campaign, with a tie their best result until Sunday’s seven-run victory, which saw them defend a score of 159/3.
While the Dolphins wanted to win in case the Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras lost their final game to leave the top spot up for grabs, the defeat to the Lions was ultimately irrelevant since the Cobras won at Sahara Park Newlands.
The Dolphins will now host The Unlimited Titans in the RAM SLAM T20 qualifier at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on Wednesday February 5.
The Lions’ victory was set up by a strong opening stand between Stephen Cook (22) and Quinton de Kock (37), before Neil McKenzie (40 not out) and Temba Bavuma (41 not out) added 75 in the last eight overs to give the home side a competitive total.
Pumelela Matshikwe then picked up the wicket of Cameron Delport in the first over of the Dolphins reply, and Aaron Phangiso (3 for 18) and Eddie Leie (2 for 25) bowled well in tandem to deny the visitors any momentum.
Once Cody Chetty had fallen for a fighting 43, the game was more or less up, but Kyle Abbott and Prenelan Subrayen provided some late entertainment when they took 16 off the final over of the game to ruin Chris Morris’ figures and lessen the margin of defeat.
