Youth, experience and class saw defending champions the DP World Lions advance to the final of the T20 Challenge on Sunday with a commanding seven-wicket win against the Momentum Multiply Titans at DP World Wanderers on Tuesday evening.
Set a mere 116 to win, the Lions reached the target for the loss of three wickets, thanks to a second-wicket partnership of 92 between the experienced Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen.
After the early loss of Zubayr Hamza (4), Hendricks (61), scoring his 56th T20 half century, and Van der Dussen (40 not out) were never troubled as they went about their business in an easy, cultured way.
Unable to take wickets in the defence of such a low total, the only highlight for the Titans with the ball was medium pacer Dayyaan Galiem's late double strike in the 14th over of the innings, his fourth, when he sent back Hendricks and Connor Esterhuizen (0) in successive balls.
The only other successful bowler was speedster Gerald Coetzee, who claimed 1-31 in his four overs as he returned to the action after a lengthy injury layoff.
YOUNG LIONS BOWLERS THROTTLE TITANS
Earlier, Lions captain Bjorn Fortuin won the toss and opted to bowl, a decision which reaped rich rewards as rising fast bowler Kwena Maphaka and legspinner Nqaba Peter came to the fore with 3-11 (four overs) and 4-15 (3.2 overs) respectively as they restricted the Titans to 115 all out in 19.2 overs.
From ball one, the Lions' bowlers were controlled and disciplined, allowing the normally free scoring Titans just 32 runs for the loss of three wickets in the powerplay.
With a record for having the best powerplay run rate in the competition, which has seen them score at more than nine runs to the over at times, this was way below par for the Titans and they needed to take control of the game.
Unfortunately, it could not be done.
At 19-3, Titans captain Heinrich Klaasen strode to the middle and despite a few crispy blows he was snapped up for 14, caught at long-on by Fortuin from Lutho Sipamla's bowling.
The only flame of resistance came from Galiem (44 from 39 balls), sharing a fourth- wicket partnership of 32 with Klaasen, and 36 for the fifth wicket with Donovan Ferreira (21).
In the field, the Lions were at the top of their game, giving nothing away and catching brilliantly in the deep.
The Titans' 50 came in 8.3 overs, the 100 in 16.3 overs and the first six was hit in the 18th over.
Peter delivered a maiden wicket over as late as over 16 and in the 19th over, Maphaka repeated the dose.
Delano Potgieter, Evan Jones and Sipamla bagged a wicket each.
For the Titans, another chance remains.
On Wednesday, the North West Dragons take on Western Province in an eliminator, the winner meeting the Titans in Friday's second qualifier to determine who faces the Lions at the Wanderers on Sunday, in a day match.
Hendricks was Man of the Match.
DP WORLD LIONS: Zubayr Hamza, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Connor Esterhuizen, Mitchell van Buuren, Delano Potgieter, Evan Jones, Bjorn Fortuin (c), Lutho Sipamla, Kwena Maphaka, Nqaba Peter
MOMENTUM MULTIPLY LIONS: Migael Pretorius, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Dayyaan Galiem, Heinrich Klaasen (c), Sibs Makhanya, Donovan Ferreira, Andile Phelukwayo, Gerald Coetzee, Roelof van der Merwe, Junior Dala, Tabraiz Shamsi
