DAY 3: Lions rip Warriors apart, Boland in control, Knights stay in the fight

Maphaka and Sipamla star as Lions rip Warriors apart

The DP World Lions' bowling attack was clinical as they secured a 200-run win for their side in their CSA 4-Day Series match against the Dafabet Warriors at the DP World Wanderers on Saturday.

The home side won the toss, elected to bat first and registered a 291-run first-innings score. Russell Domingo's side turned around and bowled out the Warriors for 94. Then they scored 214 for eight declared in the second innings, before bundling out the visitors for 211.

The Lions are unbeaten in the tournament. They remain at the top of the table.

Dominic Hendricks and Bjorn Fortuin gave the home side an ideal start with half-centuries in the first innings. Hendricks was sensational as he fought his way to a 52nd first-class half-century in testing conditions. The 34-year-old showed why he is the Lions' leading run-scorer ever in the format with a resolute knock. He faced 109 deliveries to register the milestone. He was dismissed for a well-played 89 off 200 balls.

Fortuin carried on the work done by Hendricks with a brilliant 50 off 59 balls. His effort was critical in the home side getting close to 300 runs. The 30-year-old faced 57 deliveries to reach his eighth first-class half-century. 

Kwena Maphaka and Codi Yusuf shared the new ball on the second morning and they blew away the Warriors' batting lineup. The pacers saw to it thay the Warriors' top five batters were back in the pavilion after 6.1 overs. They bagged four wickets between them in the first 30 minutes, and the fifth was a runout executed by Yusuf.

Their blitz of the Warriors' batting order made things easy for Lutho Sipamla and Tshepo Moreki, who came in after them. The Lions bundled out the Warriors in 22.3 overs.

When they came in for their second innings, the Lions struggled to get going. Two of their batters, Joshua Richards (44) and Muhammad Manack (49), went past 40, but neither could reach the 50-run mark. However, their effort lifted the home side past 200 and provided the Lions with an unassailable lead.

Jordan Hermann staged a fightback in the Warriors' second innings, and he chalked a valiant 67 off 71 deliveries. However, his effort was not enough to help the visitors overturn the target before them. They needed him to score big. However, as has become the story of his season, Hermann passed 50 but couldn't get to hundred. The opener now has gone past 50 four times this season, getting into the 90s twice, but only has a single century to his name.

Again, Maphaka was the author of the Warriors' demise. The 18-year-old bagged another three wickets in the second innings. He finished with six wickets for 78 runs. These are his best bowling figures in a first-class match. His first-innings tally of three for 24 is now his best bowling figures in an innings.

Maphaka was well supported by Lutho Sipamla, who bagged his 12th first-class four-wicket haul in the Warriors' second innings. He took four wickets for 42 runs in 12.4 overs in the innings.

Beyers Swanepoel was the only Warriors bowler to register a milestone. He bagged his eighth first-class five-wicket haul in the Lions' first innings. He took five wickets for 61 runs in 22 overs. Unfortunately, the all-rounder was struck in the head while batting and couldn't take further action in the match because he was concussed.

DP WORLD LIONS: Joshua Richards, Dominic Hendricks (capt), Muhammad Manack, Zubayr Hamza, Connor Esterhuizen (wk), Delano Potgieter, Bjorn Fortuin, Codi Yusuf, Tshepo Moreki, Lutho Sipamla, Kwena Maphaka.

DAFABET WARRIORS: Jordan Hermann, Diego Rosier, Matthew Breetzke (capt), Matthew de Villiers, Sinethemba Qeshile (wk), Patrick Kruger, Andile Mogakane, Beyers Swanepoel, Christopher King, Duanne Olivier, Siya Plaatjie.

Snyman's half-century helps Knights stay in the fight

Jacques Snyman chalked his second half-century of the match as he helped the Knights stay in their contest against the Hollywoodbets Dolphins in their CSA 4-Day Series match at Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein, on Saturday. The Knights were on 98 for one at stumps.

The home side are trailing the Dolphins by 157 runs with nine wickets in hand. The visitors won the toss, elected to bat first and scored 570 for nine declared. The Knights only managed 315 runs in their reply. Sarel Erwee, the Dolphins captain, asked them to follow-on. The Knights had Lesego Senokwane (35*) and Gihahn Cloete (4*) at the crease at the close of play.

Snyman scored an 86-ball 57 as he laid the foundation for a substantial second-innings score for the Knights. The opener shared an 88-run opening partnership with Lesego Senokwane. This is Snyman's second half-century in the match. He chalked a 96-ball 81 in the first innings. However, the 30-year-old's approach was a little different. He was more measured in the second innings, facing 72 deliveries to reach the milestone.

Daryn Dupavillon was the only wicket-taker for the Dolphins in the Knights' second innings. He took a single wicket for 19 runs in seven overs.

Earlier in the day, Okuhle Cele bagged his seventh first-class four-wicket haul as he helped the Dolphins bowl the Knights out for 315. The pacer bagged four wickets for 66 runs in 21 overs. His effort was part of the reason why the Knights failed to capitalise on Lesego Senokwane's century.

Senokwane scored a wonderful 108 from 198 balls as he tried to keep the Knights in the fight. The opener faced 165 balls to register his seventh first-class century. This is the second time he has passed the 50-run mark this season.

The last time the opener did so, he registered a double century, scoring 205 against the Dragons. However, Senokwane couldn't replicate his knock against the Dragons. He was dismissed shortly after reaching his second ton of the season.

With Senokwane gone, the Knights crumbled in a heap. They lost seven wickets for 72 runs in 35.1 overs.

KNIGHTS: Jacques Snyman, Lesego Senokwane, Gihahn Cloete (wk), Patrick Botha, Dian Forrester, Aubrey Swanepoel, Aaron Phangiso, Tiaan van Vuuren, Matthew Pollard, Dane Piedt (capt), Malusi Siboto.

HOLLYWOODBETS DOLPHINS: Sarel Erwee (capt), Tshepang Dithole (wk), Slade van Staden, Bryce Parsons, Jason Smith, Romashan Pillay, Jon-Jon Smuts, Andile Simelane, Prenelan Subrayen, Daryn Dupavillon, Okuhle Cele.

Von Berg's four-wicket haul puts Boland in control

Shaun von Berg registered his 23rd first-class four-wicket haul as he helped Goldrush Boland bowl out the Renault Potchefstroom North West Dragons for 458 on the third day of their CSA 4-Day Series match at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on Saturday. At stumps, Boland were on 12 without loss.

The visitors lead the Dragons by 148 runs with 10 wickets in hand. Clyde Fortuin, the Boland captain, won the toss and elected to bat first, and his side made the best of the conditions, registering a first-innings total of 594/6d. Boland then restricted the Dragons to 458 in their first innings. The visitors had Pieter Malan (3*) and Grant Roelofsen (5*) at the crease at the close of play.

Von Berg took control of proceedings in the last two sessions of the day, bagging three wickets as Boland put the squeeze on the Dragons. The seasoned campaigner bowled in the right areas, as he registered his 23rd first-class four-wicket haul. He finished with four wickets for 106 runs in 43 overs. Von Berg also registered 500 first-class wickets during his spell.

He was supported by Aya Gqamane, who bagged three wickets for 68 runs in 17 overs. Aviwe Mgijima was the other wicket-taker with a brace and Keith Dudgeon rounded off the wicket-takers. Their collective effort was enough to overcome Lesiba Ngoepe and Ruan de Swardt's brilliant knocks.

Ngoepe did an amazing job of following up on Matthew Kleinveldt's brilliant century. He was the Knights' second centurion in the innings, after Kleinveldt's 133 from 192. Ngoepe scored a brilliant 118 from 198 balls. This was his fourth first-class century.

Ruan de Swardt offered resistance to the onslaught from Gqamane, Mgijima and Von Berg. The all-rounder found himself stranded after he ran out of partners. He was unbeaten on 65 from 122. This is his 14th first-class half-century and his third 50 of the season. He faced 93 balls to reach the milestone. 

RENAULT POTCHEFSTROOM NORTH WEST DRAGONS Janneman Malan, Matthew Kleinveldt, Lesiba Ngoepe, Raynard van Tonder, Wihan Lubbe (capt), Ruan de Swardt, Taheer Isaacs (wk), Caleb Seleka, Kerwin Mungroo, Achille Cloete, Gideon Peters.

GOLDRUSH BOLAND: Grant Roelofsen, Pieter Malan, Gavin Kaplan, Aviwe Mgijima, Clyde Fortuin (capt)(wk), Michael Copeland, Shaun von Berg, Keith Dudgeon, Ayabulela Gqamane, Jevano Baron, Glenton Stuurman.