Paarl - Henry Davids posted a match winning innings of 116 runs in the Cobras' modest total of 214 for six to pave the way for his side's 53-run victory over the Lions in the MTN Domestic Championship clash on Sunday.However, at one stage the Lions looked on course to steal the Cobras' thunder at the scenic Winelands venue when their skipper Alviro Petersen (29) and Andre Nel (58) strung together a second-wicket partnership which yielded 89 runs. During their stay at the crease the Lions managed a run of six an over, thanks mainly to Nel who was promoted up the order with great effect. He hammered eight boundaries, four of which landed on the surrounding grass embankment.
Regular intervalsIn his 45-ball knock, Nel took a particular liking to Cobras spinner Claude Henderson, who suffered the indignity of being carted for three sixes.However, the Cobras nipped the threatening situation in the bud by dismissing both batsmen, and another, Dane Vilas (0), in the space of seven balls to send the Lions crashing from 104 for two to 104 for four. The Lions were never able to recover from this triple setback. They lost wickets at regular intervals and their next four wickets fell for the addition of only 54 runs by the 37th over.That effectively sounded the death knell for the visiting Lions who have ended their MTN Championship season as the competition's wooden-spoon winners.Semi-final in PretoriaEarlier in the day, the in-form Davids, who scored 85 not out against the Warriors at Newlands three days ago, tamed the Lions attack to lay the foundation for the Cobras' victory.He was particularly patient when compiling his 50, but he cut loose later to reach his century with a flurry of boundaries. His first 50 included four fours and a six while his second 50 included five fours and three sixes.This cavalier knock earned him the 'Man-of-the-Match' award, coming on the back of the same honour at Newlands three days ago.The win marked the Cobras' first limited-overs win at Paarl this season.The Cobras will play the Titans in the first semi-final Pretoria next weekend.
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