The North West Dragons claimed a thrilling three-run victory over the Boland Rocks in Kimberley on Wednesday.
Needing 157 to win, the Rocks were cruising at 108-0 in the 13th over, but Pieter Malan’s dismissal for 46 off 38 balls was followed by a flurry of wickets.
His opening partner and brother Janneman, who would finish with an unbeaten 74 off 56 balls, received some good support from Ferisco Adams (21 off 13).
Adams, though, was run out off the first ball of the last over, bowled by Duan Jansen. Hardus Viljoen (2) was then caught, leaving Janneman Malan with five runs to get from the last two balls. After a dot ball, he could only score two off the last ball.
Jansen (2-19) and Caleb Seleka (2-25) were North West’s best bowlers.
The Dragons posted 156-8 in their 20 overs thanks to 41 off 34 balls from opening batsman Eben Botha and Lesego Senokwane’s 40 off 31.
The latter was run out in the 16th over, but Jansen’s 27 off 21 balls got them past the 150-run mark.
Viljoen and Adams both picked up two wickets for Boland.
The Dragons will face the Free State Knights in the semi-finals on Thursday (2:30pm).
