Titans and Eastern Cape Cricket notch wins

Titans 161 for 7 (Hall 41, Kent 4-25) beat Dolphins 130 for 7 (Kemp 3-25) by 31 runs
Scorecard

At Kingsmead the Dolphins decided to field first after winning the toss, and had early success as the Titans lost Jacques Rudolph, run out for 4. Goolam Bodi, promoted up the order as a pinch-hitter, had just dispatched Mfuneko Ngam over the midwicket fence for six when he dragged one onto his stumps for a quick 21. Andrew Hall, who opened the innings, saw off Shaun Pollock and Lance Klusener before upping the tempo while Martin van Jaarsveld scored a rapid 29. Hall fell for 41 off 43 balls and a ball later Gerald Dros was on his way back after inside edging onto the stumps. Daryll Cullinan smashed 34 from a mere 14 deliveries, but he was well caught centimetres from the ropes at cover. His innings included two fours and three massive sixes. A further wicket for Jon Kent gave him the first four-wicket haul of the series as the Titans finished on 161.

Wade Wingfield and Hashim Amla started the run-chase in a rush and with a bit of luck had scored 48 before Wingfield, on 25, was bowled in the sixth over. A few edges which went wide of fielders and some dropped catches allowed the Dolphins to maintain a healthy rate. Craig Sugden made way for the in-form Klusener, the leading run-scorer in the series, with still 8.4 overs remaining. Four wickets in five overs, however, put paid to the Dolphins chances and all that remained for them was to work towards gaining a bonus point, which they did when they reached 129.

Eastern Cape Cricket 155 for 3 (Henderson 85) beat Lions 151 for 5 (McKenzie 59*) by 7 wickets
Scorecard

Adam Bacher and Stephen Cook made a solid start to the Lions innings at Potchefstroom after Eastern Cape Cricket decided to field first. Hesitation cost Bacher his wicket as he was run out for 14, while Cook was dismissed in the same manner for 24. Hylton Ackerman stroked four fours before being caught at deep mid wicket for 24, and then another run-out, that of Justin Ontong, set the Lions back. A good platform had been allowed to slip away. Neil McKenzie came to the rescue, hitting two sixes and six fours in his innings of 59 off 32 balls as the Lions recovered with 57 in the last five overs to end on 151.

ECC lost an early wicket when Robin Peterson edged to the wicketkeeper, but recovered through a 72-run partnership between Tyron Henderson and Mark Bruyns. Bruyns contributed only 17 as Henderson smashed the ball to all parts of the ground. His 50 came off only 29 balls and included five fours and two sixes. With nine runs needed, Henderson, after having made the highest score in the series, was caught at short fine leg for 85, scored off 54 deliveries. ECC ultimately achieved victory with three balls to spare.