Another win for Dolphins in Durban
Slow left-armer Maharaj (5/61) took three of the remaining four wickets that were needed on the final morning at Kingsmead as the Warriors were beaten by an innings and 45 runs after being bowled out for 208 just over an hour into day four.
Warriors captain Davy Jacobs was the last man standing after an unbeaten 64 as his side slumped to a first loss of the season, while the Dolphins, buoyed by winning the domestic T20 challenge a week earlier, jumped to second on the log.
The men from Port Elizabeth had resumed the day needing 85 more to make the home side bat again on 168 for six.
Jacobs, unbeaten on 43, quickly went to his 27th first-class 50 in 102 deliveries, before overnight partner Simon Harmer, who had frustrated the Dolphins the night before, finally fell in the seventh over of the day.
Maharaj, who had a match haul of nine for 99, grabbed the breakthrough when he enticed the batsman to chase a floated delivery that was skied and well taken by David Miller coming in from deep mid-off for 29.
That ended the partnership on 76, and after that wicket, the tail folded.
Daryn Smit (1-24) accounted for Andrew Birch (four), mistiming to Daryn Dupavillon at mid-on, while Rusty Theron (two) was caught at leg slip by Khaya Zondo off Maharaj.
The 200 then came up in the 80th over, before Basheer Walters (eight) was last man out when he was caught off Maharaj at mid on by Cody Chetty with the Warriors all out in 83 overs.
(File photo:Gallo Images)
- Sapa