Titans 178 for 5 (Davids 50, Morkel 40*, Tanvir 2-26) beat Lions 171 for 6 (De Kock 73, Morkel 3-26) by seven runs Scorecard
An all-round performance from Albie Morkel - vital lower-order runs and top-order wickets - helped Titans clinch a seven-run victory against Lions in a tight contest in Centurion. Seamer Alfonso Thomas, who contributed to the win by bowling a crucial spell - 2 for 28 - became the highest wicket-taker in Twenty20s.
Chasing 179, Lions were kept on course by Quinton de Kock, who anchored the innings with a 40-ball 73. After losing the first two wickets to successive Morkel deliveries with the score on 41, de Kock led his team to 121 in 14 overs, before becoming Morkel's third wicket. Neil McKenzie was run out next ball and Lions began to lose their way.
Needing 23 off the last two overs, Tanvir helped Lions score 12 runs in the 19th over. Thomas, however, took two wickets and conceded only three runs in the final over to secure victory for Titans. Lions still occupied the top spot in the points table, with Titans second after this win.
Solid top-order batting had helped Titans put up a big score, after they had lost the toss. Although opener Jacques Rudolph departed early, a 62-run partnership off 38 balls between Henry Davids, who top scored with a half-century, and Roelof van der Merwe, laid the foundation. Towards the end, Morkel smashed a 22-ball 40, with three fours and two sixes, to lift his side's total to 178 for 5.