Wihan Lubbe’s destructive 64-ball 80 played a key role in the NWU Dragons overcoming the DP World Lions by 65 runs on the DLS Method in their One-Day Cup encounter in Johannesburg on Sunday.
The left-hander struck four fours and five sixes in a key innings for his side as they amassed 310/6 at DP World Wanderers where Matthew Kleinveldt (64 off 61 balls 7x4, 1x6) and Lesiba Ngoepe (53* off 39 balls, 4x4, 2x6) also hit half centuries.
Ruan De Swardt and Kerwin Mungroo then claimed three wickets each to hand the men from Potchefstroom a second victory of the campaign – one that vaulted them into the top three – after the hosts were bowled out for 249.
It was an important win for the away side, one that ensured the competition was wide open after three rounds of action in which leaders Goldrush Boland remained the only unbeaten side with three wins from three.
In Sunday’s other match, a heavy afternoon downpour in Centurion meant the Hollywoodbets Dolphins and the Momentum Multiply Titans had to be content with a share of the points.
That left the Dragons as one of the big winners of the weekend and they fully warranted their result on the Highveld.
Batting first, Rubin Hermann (47) and Janneman Malan (33) gave them a strong start, before Kleinveldt, Lubbe and Ngoepe ensured they set a daunting 311.
The Lions lost Muhammad Manack (0) and Wandile Makwetu (9) early in the chase, and when Reeza Hendricks was dismissed for 18 by Mungroo (3/36), they found themselves in a fix on 37/3 in the ninth over.
Zubayr Hamza (45) together with Mitchell van Buuren (50 off 57 balls, 2x4, 2x6) and Connor Esterhuizen (59 off 54 balls, 4x4, 1x6) gave them outside hope.
But they slipped to 155/6 and were largely chasing the game thereafter. De Swardt (3/34) managed two more wicket to kill off any hopes as the home side were all out in 45.2 overs.
Meanwhile at SuperSport Park, the visiting Dolphines were bowled out for 305 in 48.5 overs after being asked to bat first at the toss.
Veteran Jon-Jon Smuts top-scored with 71 off 61 balls (10x4, 2x6) with all-rounder Jason Smith hitting 50 off 58 balls (1x4, 1x6).
Mathew Boast picked up 3/33, while Junior Dala took 3/71. The Titans then reached 15/0 in 2.3 overs, before the heavens opened and brought a premature end to proceedings.
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