Pollard ensures Knights remain winless

Four tight overs and a quickfire 23 from Kieron Pollard helped Cobras get over the line for a four-wicket win against Knights at Paarl. The result left Knights rooted to the bottom of the table, without a win in six, and kept Cobras on course for a top-three finish.

Richard Levi helped get the chase off to a solid start with 36 off 23 balls before becoming one of two wickets in an over for Dillon du Preez. Justin Ontong was less fluent in scoring 40 from 42, with two boundaries, and when he fell, Cobras lost 3 for 19 in three overs to briefly give Knights hope. Pollard, however, was unfazed and hit his compatriot Andre Russell for six and four in the 19th to ensure Cobras would get home.

Knights' total of 140 for 7 was based around several useful contributions but lacked a significant flourish. Theunis de Bruyn top-scored with 45 from 44 balls, adding 51 for the fourth wicket with Russell, but both fell in the same over just as Knights were looking to kick on. Dane Paterson and Rory Kleinveldt picked up two wickets apiece as Cobras kept the target within range.

Lions prevailed over Dolphins in a relatively low scoring game at the Wanderers in Johannesburg to register their third win of the tournament.

Playing a stellar role with the ball that helped them defend 145 for 6 was Dwaine Pretorius, the pacer, who took 4 for 22 as Dolphins were restricted to 139 for 7. If Pretorius was the hero with the ball, that Lions posted what would be a match-winning total was courtesy Alviro Petersen, who hit four fours and a six in his unbeaten 41-ball 60. The next best came from Devon Conway, who stroked 38.

Dolphins started their chase well, with Morne van Wyk (20) and Vaughan van Jaarsveld (42) putting together a 45-run opening stand in just 5.3 overs. Despite two quick strikes after that, David Miller (37) ensured they were well on their way to pocket two points. But Pretorius put the brakes on the scoring by dismissing Cody Chetty, Miller and Dwayne Bravo in the space of two overs to turn the game around. Phangiso, the left-arm spinner, also chipped in with two wickets.

Dolpins have now failed to win in four games. Although they remain in second place, they lead the Cobras by just two points, having played a game more.