The Lions, despite suffering a nervy mid-innings collapse, eventually completed a six-wicket victory over the Dolphins in their MTN40 match at Kingsmead, Durban on Friday night.
Facing a modest total of - for victory on a slowish, but still good batting pitch, man of the match Neil McKenzie looked set to guide his team to the easiest of victories when the Lions reached 183/1 in the 32nd over. But the Lions skipper then became one of three batsmen to fall in five balls without a run being scored.
McKenzie, who struck a well-judged 77 at the top of the order, was run out by his own runner, Jonathan Vandiar.
As he limped from the field, it seemed that the Dolphins might conjure a victory from the jaws of defeat. But Zander de Bruyn and Dane Vilas settled the visitors' nerves as they ran brilliantly between the wickets to take their team to a deserved win with five balls to spare.
It was another successful outing for the Johannesburg franchise who have now won their last three matches after a dismal start. As for the Dolphins, they have now lost two home matches in the last three days and slip to the bottom of the table.
Although they have four games remaining, three of those are away against the Titans, the Warriors and the Eagles in the next six days before winding up their programme against the Titans in Pietermaritzburg on January 17.
At this rate, the Dolphins will struggle to secure a semifinal place with their powder-puff attack failing to achieve any penetration. Last night, their two top bowlers, Johann Louw and Quinton Friend, conceded 46 runs between them in five overs while the late drama was really created by the Lions batsmen giving their wickets away unnecessarily.
The Dolphins made a bright start when Loots Bosman battered their pace bowlers - and Cliffie Deacon went for 53 in just five overs - in an explosive cameo that included four sixes and two fours. But when he went, pulling a Pumelela Matshikwe long hop to deep midwicket, the innings declined.
This was partly because spinners Werner Coetsee and Aaron Phangiso dried up the runs, but also because they were gifted some wickets. Cameron Delport ran himself out, Dale Benkenstein was bowled when he chose the wrong ball to reverse-sweep and then Ahmed Amla ran out the threatening David Miller.
To his credit, Amla, who struck 82 in 91 balls, did manage to bat through most of the innings, sharing partnerships of 54 with Miller and 58 with Daryn Smit as the Dolphins tried to build a competitive total.
- The Titans secured a home semifinal with a thrilling two-wicket win over the Warriors at the Centurion last night. The Warriors were bowled out for 217 runs and the hosts replied with 220/8 to secure victory with four balls to spare.
In Kimberley, The Cobras extended their lead at the top of the standings with a two run win over Eagles.