The Hollywoodbets Dolphins continued their impressive run of form in the YesPlay T20 Cup with a commanding seven-wicket bonus-point victory over the Eastern Cape Iinyathi at Buffalo Park on Friday.
Chasing 129 for victory, the Dolphins reached 129-3 in just 15.2 overs, winning with 28 balls to spare as Grant Roelofsen produced a superb innings of 67 off 37 deliveries to put the visitors firmly in control.
The result extends the Dolphins' winning run to three matches following their opening-round defeat to the DP World Lions, with the KwaZulu-Natal side now sitting at the top of Pool B after four matches.
Roelofsen anchored the successful chase with an aggressive display that included eight fours and three sixes, striking at 181 to ensure the Dolphins maintained a healthy scoring rate throughout their innings.
In their chase, the visitors suffered an early setback when Bryce Parsons was dismissed for a duck, before Romashan Pillay fell for five to leave them 25-2 in the fourth over.
However, Roelofsen and Jason Smith steadied the innings with a crucial third-wicket partnership, adding 77 runs to put the Dolphins firmly on course for victory.
Roelofsen eventually departed for 67 with the score at 102-3, but Smith remained unbeaten on 41 off 31 balls, while Hanu Viljoen finished 12 not out as the Dolphins completed the chase comfortably in the 16th over.
MOKOENA SHINES WITH THE BALL
Earlier, the Dolphins' bowlers had restricted the Iinyathi to 128-7 from their 20 overs after being asked to field.
Ngobani Mokoena was the pick of the attack, claiming three wickets for 22 runs in his four overs, while Jason Smith chipped in with two wickets for 29 runs.
Tristan Luus and Prenelan Subrayen claimed a wicket apiece as the Dolphins kept the scoring rate in check.
Mokoena had captain Jerome Bossr dismissed off the first legitimate ball of the match leaving the hosts 1-1 after one ball.
The seamer ripped through the Iinyathi top order taking the first three wickets to leave the home side 11 for three in the third over.
The Iinyathi then struggled to establish momentum with the bat, losing wickets at regular intervals.
Ayabulela Gqamane provided the innings with some late impetus, striking an unbeaten 54 off just 24 deliveries, including three fours and four sixes batting at No 7.
Thando Ntini added an unbeaten 18 off 12 balls, but the late flourish was not enough to prevent the Dolphins from setting up a manageable chase.
The bonus-point victory keeps the Dolphins at the top of group B with some big matches coming up in the competition.