The Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras battled to a below par score of just 117 in their Ram Slam T20 Challenge match against the bizhub Highveld Lions, and will have to bowl out of their skins if they are to preserve their record of beating the Lions in each of their appearances in this format at Sahara Park Newlands to date.

Sent in to bat by Lions captain Alviro Petersen under menacing skies, the Cobras struggled from the start.  Richard Levi went to a brilliant catch at third man by Imran Tahir for a duck as Chris Morris bowled his first two overs from either end and claimed a wicket in each.  Dane Vilas and Owais Shah put together a third wicket partnership of 52 off 58 balls, slow going as the boundaries just did not come on a slow outfield.

Both were dismissed in successive overs, with Vilas's 30 off 36 balls proving to be the top score of the innings.  Justn Ontong might have doubled the total with some of the mighty shots he aimed, but missed more than he hit. 

The Lions bowlers were on top from the word go, maintaining a good line and length and the batsmen simply could not get them away.  Morris was the pick, taking two for 21, while Sohail Tanvir also took two.  Aaron Phangiso was the most economical, giving up just seventeen.

With the Cobras needing to win virtually all their remaining matches to stay in the running, their bowlers will have to be on the money from the word go.