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Johannesburg - An uncharacteristic knock from opening batsman Loots Bosman earned the Dolphins their first win of the season as they clinched a five-wicket victory over the Highveld Lions on the fourth and final day of the SuperSport Series match at the Wanderers on Sunday.
Bosman was unusually patient, as his side needed him to be, sticking around for more than four hours while he paved the way to victory.
The opener faced 171 deliveries, smashing nine fours and three sixes in compiling an unbeaten 100, guiding the visitors to 235/5 in the final session.
Chasing 223 to win, the Dolphins were reduced to 58/3 shortly after lunch, but Bosman anchored a couple of significant partnerships to ensure the win.
He combined in a 52-run stand for the fourth wicket with Cameron Delport, who made 37 before he was trapped leg-before by spinner Werner Coetsee, and then shared 66 for the fifth wicket with all-rounder Jon Kent, who was caught behind off Ugasen Govender for 27 after he was dropped twice on six.
Dave Miller, who hit 31 not out, joined Bosman in an unbroken 59-run stand for the sixth wicket and, fittingly, the opener smashed a six off Jonathan Vandiar to bring up his fifth career century and the victory.
Earlier, the Dolphins had dismissed the Lions midway through the morning session after Zander de Bruyn, on 36, and Thami Tsolekile, on 25, had resumed the home side's second innings at 179/5.
In the fifth over of the day, De Bruyn was removed by Kent for 45, and while Tsolekile stuck around for the remainder of the innings, he received little assistance from the tail.
The last three wickets were removed for 19 runs and Tsolekile remained unbeaten on 47 as the Lions were bowled out for 226, giving the Dolphins a target of 233 to win.
Their first victory of the season bumped the Dolphins from bottom spot on the log to fourth, while the Lions dropped one place to last.
Bosman was unusually patient, as his side needed him to be, sticking around for more than four hours while he paved the way to victory.
The opener faced 171 deliveries, smashing nine fours and three sixes in compiling an unbeaten 100, guiding the visitors to 235/5 in the final session.
Chasing 223 to win, the Dolphins were reduced to 58/3 shortly after lunch, but Bosman anchored a couple of significant partnerships to ensure the win.
He combined in a 52-run stand for the fourth wicket with Cameron Delport, who made 37 before he was trapped leg-before by spinner Werner Coetsee, and then shared 66 for the fifth wicket with all-rounder Jon Kent, who was caught behind off Ugasen Govender for 27 after he was dropped twice on six.
Dave Miller, who hit 31 not out, joined Bosman in an unbroken 59-run stand for the sixth wicket and, fittingly, the opener smashed a six off Jonathan Vandiar to bring up his fifth career century and the victory.
Earlier, the Dolphins had dismissed the Lions midway through the morning session after Zander de Bruyn, on 36, and Thami Tsolekile, on 25, had resumed the home side's second innings at 179/5.
In the fifth over of the day, De Bruyn was removed by Kent for 45, and while Tsolekile stuck around for the remainder of the innings, he received little assistance from the tail.
The last three wickets were removed for 19 runs and Tsolekile remained unbeaten on 47 as the Lions were bowled out for 226, giving the Dolphins a target of 233 to win.
Their first victory of the season bumped the Dolphins from bottom spot on the log to fourth, while the Lions dropped one place to last.
