Dolphins squeak to one-wicket win over Dragons

Standard Bank Cup log leaders KwaZulu-Natal squeaked to a one-wicket victory off the last ball of the match against North West in Potchefstroom on Friday while Free State picked up a bonus point in beating Easterns by 53 runs and Western Province firmed their claim for a semifinal berth with a 24-run victory over Griquas at Newlands.

In Potchestroom the Dolphins chased down a challenging target of 262 set for the by the Dragons. The home team's total of 261 for six was built around Arno Jacobs' 112 with Graham Grace continuing his good form with the bat with a contribution of 44.

The Dolphins batted all the way down the order with Jon Kent top-scoring with 59, but it was left to Andrew Tweedie and Jon Bastow to scramble eight of the last over for victory.

At Goodyear Park the Eagles proved just too strong for Easterns. Cliffie Deacon's 112 enabled Free State to compile 254 for seven before Easterns were bowled out for 201.

And at Newlands Graeme Smith's 70 gave substance to a moderate WP batting display, lifting the home team to 195 for nine. In reply Griquas crumbled against Claude Henderson's left-arm spin and Smith's gentle off breaks, collapsing to 171 all out. Henderson finished with four for 29 while Smith took three for 36.