Bonus point victory lifts Warriors to second in Pool B

Dafabet Warriors climbed to second place in Pool B of the YesPlay Pro20 Cup after securing a convincing nine-wicket victory over Garden Route Badgers in Oudtshoorn on Friday.

The hosts struggled to build momentum after electing to bat first, with the Warriors bowling attack restricting them to just 68 all out in 16.2 overs.

Janneman Malan top-scored with 19, while Pheko Moletsane and Andile Phehlukwayo contributed 11 runs each. Zack Momberg added 10 further down the order.

The defending T20 champions made light work of the modest target, with Matthew de Villiers leading the charge in an unbeaten 50.

Andile Mokgakane supported him with an unbeaten 13 as the Warriors raced to 70/1 in just 8.2 overs to seal the emphatic win and secure a bonus point.

The result moves the Warriors to within three points of Pool B leaders Hollywoodbets Dolphins, strengthening their position in the race for a place in the next phase of the competition.

In Polokwane, Eastern Cape Iinyathi edged Wenbro Impalas by three runs in a closely contested encounter, leaving the Impalas still searching for their first victory in Pool B.

Batting first, Iinyathi made a strong start through an opening partnership of 80 between Nathan Roux and Christiaan du Toit. Roux was dismissed for 44, while du Toit and Jerome Bossr each contributed 35 to keep the visitors on course for a competitive total.

Michael Copeland top-scored with 45 as Iinyathi finished on 166/6 in their 20 overs.

The Impalas' reply got off to a difficult start when Ernest Kemm fell for one in the opening over.

Despite the early setback, the home side fought to stay in contention, with Christoffel Klijnhans scoring 38 and Marcello Piedt adding 34 to lead the middle-order resistance.

However, Iinyathi held their nerve in the closing stages to restrict the Impalas to 163/9, securing a narrow three-run victory and leaving the home side agonisingly short of the target.

The YesPlay Pro20 Cup continues on Saturday with a single fixture, as Dafabet Boland host Mpumalanga Rhinos in Paarl.