Titans and Dragons make winning starts in Pro20 Cup

Prescience Media: The inaugural YesPlay Pro20 Cup began with a bang on Friday, as the North West Dragons and Momentum Multiply Titans both opened their campaigns with bonus point victories at SuperSport Park.

The Dragons produced the more emphatic result, beating defending T20 Challenge champions Dafabet Warriors by seven wickets with more than four overs to spare.

After choosing to field, the Dragons struck with the first ball when Wihan Lubbe dismissed Muhammad Manack. He struck again two balls later to remove Sibonelo Makhanya, leaving the Warriors 0-2.

Matthew de Villiers and Jordan Hermann steadied the innings, but de Villiers fell for 10 and Hermann for 20 as Lubbe completed an impressive three wicket haul.

Patrick Kruger top scored with an unbeaten 38 and JP King added 30 as the Warriors finished on 126-6.

The Dragons' chase was anchored by captain Rubin Hermann, who made an unbeaten 55. After Wihan Lubbe fell for nine and Ludwich Schuld and Diego Rosier also departed, Hermann remained composed to guide his side to 130-3 inside 16 overs.

Lesiba Ngoepe finished unbeaten on 23.

The Titans then completed a successful chase against the YesPlay Western Province Cobras in the second match of the day.

The Cobras posted 186-4 after Edward Moore and Joshua van Heerden shared a 108 run partnership. Moore made 62 and Van Heerden 64.

The Titans responded through an opening stand of 121 between Sinethemba Qeshile and Leus du Plooy. The partnership included a 91 run powerplay, a record in domestic T20 cricket.

Du Plooy struck 77 before falling to Raeeq Daniels, who finished with three wickets. Qeshile followed for 59, but the damage had already been done.

Eathan Bosch's unbeaten 22 helped the Titans reach their target comfortably, sealing a five wicket victory.

The Dragons and Titans both move to five points at the top of Pools B and A respectively after the opening round.

Northern Cape Heat face Eastern Cape Iinyathi at Kimberley Oval on Saturday in the only fixture of the day.

Photo Credit: CSA