Lions pile on runs to grab early Momentum win

Reeza Hendricks did the job with bat and ball for Lions, in their opening Momentum Cup game against Warriors, setting up a 44-run win at the Wanderers.

Hendricks first scored 101 off 104 in a 178-run opening stand with Stephan Cook to lay the platform for Lions' 329-run total, before striking twice in an over with his part-time medium pace to rock the chase.

Lions were put in to bat and Hendricks and Cook's partnership ticked over at more than a run a ball before JJ Smuts - the most effective and economical of the Warriors bowlers with 2 for 51 - broke through. A cluster of rapid cameos followed from the middle order to carry Lions well past the 300-run mark.

After losing Smuts early, Warriors seemed to have got back on track through a 122-run second-wicket stand between Gihahn Cloete and Colin Ingram. Then Hendricks took the pair out in the space of five balls, and Warriors' challenge was quickly flagging. No one else could get to fifty for Warriors, though several in the middle order got starts, and eventually they fell well short, bowled out in exactly 50 overs for 285. Lions' other Hendricks, new-ball bowler Beuran, also did his bit effectively, claiming 3 for 55 in his ten.