Knights lose ahead of Dolphins clash

Chasing 256 for the win, the Knights were sitting at 153 for 5 and poised for a launch in the final ten overs, but a double strike by Langeveldt killed off what seemed like any hopes the home side had of victory in the 38th over.

Langeveldt first clean bowled Werner Coetsee for six, before finding the edge of fellow former Proteas player Nicky Boje for a first ball duck.

The runout of Quinton Friend off the final delivery of the over ensued.

Despite a majestic innings of 88 runs off 73 balls by Knights allrounder Ryan McLaren late in the innings, the damage had been done by the Cobras attack to ensure they could hold out for the win.

McLaren dispatched the Cobras to all parts of the ground, hitting 10 fours and two sixes before falling in the final over, after it had seemed the home side would be dealt a big loss.

The victory meant the Cobras had notched up two away wins to start off their cup campaign.

Earlier in the Knights innings, Reeza Hendricks was the first to fall as he attempted to drive a Justin Kemp delivery, but could only find Dane Piedt in the covers.

Hendricks threw away a good start with his 35 coming in 47 balls with the Cobras score on 71 for 1 midway through the 17th over.

Gihahn Cloete soon followed his opening partner back to the changeroom in the 23rd over.

Cloete was trapped lbw by Cobras spinner Siya Simetu who picked up his first wicket in franchise cricket in just his second over.

Rilee Rossouw departed for just 11 as he was run out in spectacular fashion from Shaheen Kahn's direct-hit from out in the deep, as the batsman attempted a third run.

Simetu picked up his second wicket with another lbw as he outfoxed Rudi Second for 22 with the Knights in trouble at 120 for 4 in the 31st over.

Simetu struck again when he had Pite van Biljon caught behind for nine as the Knights were left reeling on 133 for 5.

In the first innings, like their first game against the Titans, the Cobras got off to good start with the bat. The pair of Andrew Puttick and Dane Vilas notched up a 90 run opening partnership before the first wicket fell.

Puttick departed after an aggressive innings of 52 from 47 deliveries. Boje did the Cobras opener in the flight of a delivery, and some quick work with the gloves from Second had Puttick stumped.

The stumping in the 16th over which left the visitors on 90 for 1, brought up the veteran Boje's 300th domestic limited overs wicket.

The wicket of Dane Villas followed in the 17th over as he edged a McLaren ball to Hendricks at first slip.

Justin Ontong did not last long as he tried to turn a straight delivery from Boje, but only succeeded in getting the leading edge to chip the ball straight back to the bowler for an easy catch with the score on 114 for 3 in the 22nd over.

But it was a knock of 72 from 24-year-old Cobras batsman Yaseen Vallie which was to be the backbone of his team's innings. Vallie shared in a 63 run partnership with Khan at the end of the innings which helped the Cobras post a competitive 255 for 6 in their 50 overs.

(File photo:Gallo Images)

- Sapa