Potchefstroom - A dismal batting display by the New Age Impi saw the Highveld Lions defeat them by 61 runs, in their MiWay T20 Challenge encounter at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on Friday night.

Only two batsmen reached double figures for the composite side, as Ethan O'Reilly (2 for 4 in four overs), left-arm spinner Aaron Phangiso (2 for 15) and Dwaine Pretorius,with two for 9 at the end, did the damage, with the Lions producing a clinical performance in the field.

Two run-outs and some fine catching saw the Gauteng outfit make a fine start to their T20 season, as the visiting Impi folded under the pressure of the run chase.

The Impi had won the toss and elected to bowl, with the decision paying instant dividends for skipper Paul Collingwood. Jonathan Vandiar, who had been dropped in the very first over of the match, played a shot a minute, and it was no surprise when he was snared by Pumelela Matshikwe in the second over, for 15 off nine balls.

Lions skipper Alviro Petersen (37 off 36 balls) and Neil McKenzie (30 off 25 balls) made starts, but both fell just when they looked set to make hay on a slower than usual track in Potchefstroom.

From 89 for three, the Lions then wobbled, losing four wickets for 19 runs. Richard Cameron (2 for 27) and Matshikwe (2 for 40) snared two wickets apiece, leaving the Lions in danger of folding for a limp total.

But Morris and Burger then blasted 45 off the last three and a half overs, with Morris clubbing two sixes and three fours in his cameo of 31 not out.

Burger chipped in with a six of his own, as the Lions recovered somewhat to set the Impi a challenging target of 154 to win.

In their pursuit, the Impi tumbled to 11 for 3 inside five overs, as the Lions strangled them with fine bowling.

O'Reilly struck in his second over, as he trapped the dangerous Ryan ten Doeschate leg before for 1.

Impi skipper Collingwood was run out for 4, after fine work from Morris, and the writing was on the wall for the makeshift side.

Only Cobus Pienaar (18 off 21 balls) and Ryan Canning (26 off 19 balls) put up any resistance,as the Impi fell desperately behind the required rate.

Their fate was sealed on the penultimate ball of the match, as Pretorius got rid of Pumelela Matshikwe, sealing a bonus-point win in the process.

Teams:

Highveld Lions:
Alviro Petersen (captain), Temba Bavuma, Gulam Bodi, Neil McKenzie, Cliffie Deacon, Zander de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock (wk), Jean Symes, Thami Tsolekile, Chris Morris, Shane Burger, Dwaine Pretorius, Aaron Phangiso, Ethan O'Reilly

New Age Impi:
Paul Collingwood (captain), Ryan ten Doeschate, Adrian McLaren, Beuran Hendricks, Cobus Pienaar, Siya Simetu, Craig Alexander, Pumelela Matshikwe, Ryan Canning (wk), Richard Cameron, Charl Pietersen