Durban - A valiant effort with the ball defending 171 on the final day was not enough as the Hollywoodbets Dolphins lost to the World Sport Betting Cape Cobras by five wickets in their 4-Day Franchise series clash at Newlands on Thursday.
The Dolphins began day four on 265/7 and they lost Keshav Maharaj early for six, they fell into more trouble he was followed by Dane Vilas who was out LBW for 72.
Okuhle Cele was the last man out for four leaving Eathan Bosch not out on seven.
The Dolphins left the Cobras with 171 to get and despite the low target the Dolphins made a fist of defending it.
First innings centurion Pieter Malan was dismissed for a first ball duck and then Zubayr Hamza fell for seven, leaving the hosts 20/2.
Janaman Malan and David Bedingham added 48 for the third wicket before the former became Keshav Maharaj's first victim.
Bedingham was dismissed by Maharaj with the score on 81 and the Dolphins were still in the hunt.
Kyle Verrynne and Aviwe Mgijima then got together and broke the back of the chase, putting on 70 for the fifth wicket.
The Cobras wicket-keeper was dismissed for 46 by Maharaj with the Capetonians needing 21 runs to win.
Mgijima and Vernon Philander knocked off the rest with the former finishing 43 not out while Philander finished 15 not out to hand them a five wicket win.
Summary of the score
Dolphins 1st Innings 225 all out (Cody Chetty 71, SJ Erwee 35, Eathan Bosch 31)
Cobras 1st Innings 337 all out (Rob Frylinck 5/86, Okuhle Cele 3/61)
Dolphins 2nd Innings 282 all out (Dane Vilas 72, SJ Erwee 54, Sibz Makhanya 53)
Cobras 2nd Innings 173/5 (Keshav Maharaj 3/49)
WSB Cape Cobras win by five wickets