Port Elizabeth - The Highveld Lions made it two for two as they thrashed the Warriors by eight wickets in their T20 Challenge fixture at St George's Park on Wednesday.
Jonathan Vandiar scored an unbeaten 56 off 53 balls while Neil McKenzie finished 31 not out as the Lions chased down the Warriors’ modest total of 134 with seven balls to spare.
The Warriors have now lost all three of their matches in the competition so far but with nine matches still to be played in the initial stage they are not out of the running by any means. But based on Wednesday's performance, they look to have some testing times ahead.
The Lions, though, were clinical in their pursuit and look to be a pretty handy unit this season.
Their batting was solid and the bowlers created pressure which resulted in the Warriors’ camp pressing the panic button.
Earlier, the Warriors won the toss and opted to bat. They were soon in trouble when Kelly Smuts was bowled by Ethan O'Reilly with the second delivery of the evening.
Fellow opener Ashwell Prince then combined with Jon-Jon Smuts for a promising stand that took the Warriors to 66 after 10 overs before Smuts was bowled by Aaron Phangiso for 42 off 37 balls including five fours.
Prince went on to make 33 off 29 before running past a delivery to be bowled by Alviro Petersen.
The Warriors did not do much to help their cause when debutant Colin Ackermann and Nicky Boje were run out off consecutive balls. Craig Thyssen was involved in both of those run outs and he needed to make amends. But his innings was short-lived as he advanced down the track only to be stumped by Thami Tsolekile off Jean Symes.
Athi Dyili added a well-struck 22 down the order but 134 was never going to be enough on what looked like a decent pitch.
Chris Morris finished with two wickets for 19 runs while Symes added the scalp of Dyili to return figures of two for 37. - Sapa