The Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras closed in on the Sunfoil Series trophy on Thursday as a belligerent Richard Levi powered them to 104 for one at stumps after a superb all-round display by the visitors against the Chevrolet Knights at Chevrolet Park.

The Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras won the toss and decided to field and dismissed the Chevrolet Knights for 191.

The 22-year old fast bowler, Beuran Hendricks, ripped through the top-order with 4-50 in fifteen overs.

The Chevrolet Knights lost their final eight wickets for 83 runs as they collapsed dramatically after lunch.

Levi had the Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras off to a flyer with the bat and his half-century came off only 56 balls with nine fours. He finished the day on 61, and hit eleven fours. He dominated the undefeated 68-run partnership with the in-form Stiaan van Zyl for the second wicket against the demoralized hosts, who looked deflated after their batting collapse.

In the morning session Rilee Rossouw and Gihahn Cloete established an entertaining and solid 99-run partnership in 135 minutes off 194 balls for the second wicket. But it did not provide a foundation for the rest of the batting order, as a lack of sound judgement and execution contributed to the top-order wobble.

Hendricks was the destroyer-in-chief as his triple-strike reduced the hosts from 108 for one to 125 for four. Rossouw’s full-bloodied drive produced an edge to first slip off Hendricks and the left-hander departed for 59. He faced 94 balls and hit nine boundaries.

Cloete feathered an out-swinger to the wicketkeeper in Hendricks’ next over, and he was gone for 41.

Obus Pienaar played a loose stroke to a wide delivery outside the off-stump and was caught at point by Justin Ontong for 16.

The Chevrolet Knights lacked an experienced middle-order batsman to rally the troops and to resurrect the innings.The hosts attempted to hit their way out of trouble, but their shot selection was woeful.

Both Werner Coetsee and Dillon du Preez attempted ambitious drives early on against Robin Peterson whose trademark bounce and turn defeated them, and they were caught by Justin Kemp for ducks.

Kemp had Ryan McLaren caught at mid-off after another poorly judged expansive shot produced a tame dismissal for six.

Ryan Bailey spooned a drive to Peterson at short midwicket off Kemp for 14 and the Chevrolet Knights plummeted to 145 for eight. Nine, Ten and Jack then produced 46 runs between them as Malusi Saboto and Shadley van Schalkwyk both hit some lusty blows.

Siboto succumbed to Rory Kleinveldt when he was caught at second slip for 16.

Teams:

Chevrolet Knights: Johan van der Wath (capt), Gihahn Cloete, Rudi Second, Rilee Rossouw, Ryan Bailey, Obus Pienaar, Ryan McLaren, Werner Coetsee, Dillon du Preez, Malusi Siboto, Shadley van Schalkwyk.

Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras: Justin Ontong (capt), Andrew Puttick, Richard Levi, Stiaan van Zyl, Dane Vilas, Yaseen Vallie, Justin Kemp, Robin Peterson,  Rory Kleinveldt, Johann Louw, Beuran Hendricks.