Warriors edge Dolphins by two-run win

Two wickets from Rusty Theron in the final over of the Dolphins innings kept them short of the target of 142 by three runs in Durban to push Warriors to second place. Chasing 142, Dolphins required eight from the last over but scored only five to slip to third place.

Opting to bat, Warriors lost the first two wickets within four overs but were steadied by JJ Smuts and Ryan Bailey with a stand of 56 in 34 balls. Smuts fell for 36 after striking three fours and two sixes and once Bailey was dismissed for a 35-ball 49 in the 18th over, the remaining batsmen could not score as quickly. Only 17 runs from the last 15 balls took them to 141 for 6 as Kyle Abbott finished with 3 for 21 from four overs.

Dolphins were in a spot of bother from the beginning itself after they lost their top order for 15 runs in the first 20 deliveries. They were brought back on track with fifties from David Miller and Khaya Zondo as they put on 91 for the fourth wicket. Miller's innings of 60 off 40 ended in the 15th over after which they needed 35 from 30. They were rocked further with more wickets in the next four overs but Zondo brought it down to eight from six with 12 runs from the last three balls of the 19th over. However, an economical over form Theron gave Warriors a two-run victory.

With a convincing six-wicket win against Lions, Titans increased their chances of booking a play-off berth by being placed fourth in the points table. With three wickets in his third consecutive match, Saeed Ajmal restricted Lions to 142 despite a 50-ball 70 from Quinton de Kock. The 21-year-old opener did not get much support as Lions never got any substantial partnerships going. Lions were reeling at 17 for 3 in the third over and then 82 for 6 in the 14th before de Kock and Chris Morris took them to 111. However, Ajmal dismissed both of them in consecutive overs to finish with 3 for 26 and Lions were all out on the last ball of the innings. Morne Morkel picked up 2 for 14 from his four overs.

Titans were given a strong start from openers Henry Davids and Heino Kuhn as they scored 82 in under 10 overs. Kuhn was trapped lbw by Imran Tahir for 43 and Faf du Plessis and Davids also fell in the next three overs. Farhaan Behardien's unbeaten 31 with four fours took them home with nine balls to spare and six wickets in hand. Lions are still win-less from eight matches.