Potchefstroom - The Lions suffered their first defeat in the One Day Cup competition, losing by six wickets to the Knights in Potchefstroom on Friday.
Interrupted twice by rain, the Knights had their target adjusted to 204 off 33 overs, after the Lions made 250 for seven off their 50 overs.
Michael Erlank opened the batting for the Knights, scoring 52
and setting the foundation for the side. He shared a 66-run partnership with Obus Pienaar before he was caught at mid-on by Grant Mokoena, off the bowling of Hardus Viljoen.
Pienaar, unbeaten on 67, and skipper Ryan McLaren saw the side home, with seven balls to spare.
McLaren was man of the match for his 37 not out and his three wickets at a cost of 51 runs.
The Lions won the toss and began at a cracking pace as Stephen Cook scampered to his half-century. With a fast outfield, he reached his 50 off 52 balls, hitting eight boundaries.
Cook shared a 55-run, second wicket stand with youngster Quinton de Kock and it took the experience of Nicky Boje, with his first ball, to see off De Kock for 33.
Cook was furious with himself when he decided to take on off-spinner Werner Coetsee, running down the wicket, only to be stumped by Jean-Pierre Triegaardt for 52.
At one stage, a total of around 300 seemed possible but Neil McKenzie struggled to find the middle of the bat and the spinners slowed down the run rate.
Chris Morris joined McKenzie for the seventh wicket, which looked promising as Morris increased the tempo for a brief period.
Knocking six quick boundaries, Morris took his partnership with McKenzie to 57 before he was caught by Duanne Olivier at cover, off McLaren.
McKenzie was unbeaten on 67, with his runs coming mainly in singles as he hit only one boundary.
Apart from McLaren’s three valuable wickets, it was the spinners who mixed it up and never allowed the batsmen to settle. Coetsee took two wickets and Boje one.
In the end, it was a comfortable and deserving with for the Knights, giving them their second victory of the competition so far. - Sapa