The championship match was completed on the reserve day after lightning, rain, and hail forced play to be abandoned at the Mangaung Oval on Sunday, with only 10.2 overs bowled. The Knights resumed their first innings on 92/3 on Monday morning, and they had a further 9.4 overs to bat.

The hosts managed to score 155/7 in their allotted 20 overs with the opening batter, Isaac Dikgale, top-scoring with a 57 not out as he kept the innings together. Jacques Snyman, in turn, chipped in with 26 off 14, while Ruan Haasbroek struck 23 off 13 balls.

Malusi Siboto. Photo: Morgan Piek

Kgaudise Molefe was the pick of the Iinyathi bowlers with 2/18 in 4 overs, while Alindile Mhletywa took 2/31 in his complement of overs.

While the Knights had the runs on the board, they would have felt that they were probably 20 runs short, and they would have to get off to a good start with the ball.

The Knights did manage to strike early when Wian Ruthven was caught in the deep by Patrick Botha off the bowling of Sisanda Magala in the 4th over with the score on 16.

Iinyathi captain Nathan Roux and Jason Niemand dug their heels in and played smart cricket as they ran the singles hard to keep the pressure on the hosts, who would have felt the game slipping slightly.

The game swung in the 13th over when Snyman trapped Niemand LBW for 31, and just two balls later, removed Roux by trapping him LBW as well, but for 43 runs.

At 92/3 after 12.4 overs, the Iinyathi were still in the game, but the Knights had their tails up again. While Snyman made the breakthrough, all credit must go to the left-arm spinner Mbongiseni Mhlanga, who turned tidy figures of 0/18 in 3 to keep the pressure on the visitors.

Good death bowling by captain Malusi Siboto, Sisanda Magala, and Tiaan van Vuuren managed to close out the victory for the Knights.

Snyman was the pick of the Knights bowlers with 3/31, while Magala took 2/16 in his 3 overs.

Siboto told OFM Sport that while they left runs on the park, it was their experience that came to the fore when the pressure was on.

“Jacques coming in and bowling that spell really put us in the position we’re in right now,” said Siboto.

Isaac Dikgale. Photo: Morgan Piek

“To be honest, this morning I felt we were about 30 runs short. Maybe we didn’t take enough risks by going over the top – there were guys up in the ring, cutting off 20 runs or so – and we didn’t really back ourselves to hit over their heads.

“If you’re going to win games like that, you need to take those chances. But I still think it was a good effort from our bowlers – I can’t fault anyone for the way we bowled. If anything, they batted really well at the end.

“My job was to try to pull them back, but it definitely helps when you have experienced guys bowling at the death.”

The Knights will enjoy a short break before reverting their attention back to the CSA 4-Day Series, and their next game is from 11 to 14 December against the Northern Cape Heat in Kimberley.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek  cvs