On Saturday the Lions managed to beat the in-form Dragons by a mere five runs in a thrilling top-of-the-table clash at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom.

The result was significant as the Dragons lost out on securing a home match in Qualifier 1. The Lions in turn will host Qualifier 1 in Johannesburg, and should they win they automatically book a home final.

Rassie van der Dussen. Photo: Lions

The Lions batted first and posted 170/3 in their allotted 20 overs with the wicketkeeper, Connor Esterhuizen, scoring a magnificent 62* off 39 deliveries while the Proteas top-order batter, Rassie van der Dussen, scored 59 off 38 at his former home ground against his former team.

Migael Pretorius, Kerwin Mungroo, and Lesiba Ngoepe each took a wicket for the Dragons, while Caleb Seleka was their most economical bowler with 0/24 in his four overs.

Ludwich Schuld scored 60 runs for the Dragons in their run-chase, while the Proteas allrounder, Marco Jansen, scored 29 off 14 before being run out. The captain, Wihan Lubbe, scored 21, but this was in vain as they were restricted to 165/6 in their allotted 20 overs.

The Proteas teenage bowling sensation, Kwena Maphaka, was the pick of the Lions bowlers with 2/28 in his four overs, while Tshepo Moreki took 2/38.

Lhuan-Dre Pretorius. Photo: Titans

Meanwhile, over at St George’s Park in Gqeberha, the Titans beat the Warriors by six wickets to edge the Dragons into second. The Titans will get to face the Lions in Qualifier 1 at the Wanderers in what will be a Jukskei derby on Tuesday.

The Dragons in turn will host the Eliminator on Wednesday in Potchefstroom. Western Province's siwicket win against the Knights at Newlands in Cape Town on Friday evening ensured they sneaked into the knockout rounds through the backdoor.

At Boland Park in Paarl, Boland beat the Dolphins by four runs according to the DLS method. This result sees the Dolphins finishing the competition at the bottom of the log.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg