Cape Town - Dane Paterson and Kieron Pollard bowled the Cobras to a 33 run victory over the Knights in the Ram Slam T20 Challenge final at Newlands, in Cape Town, on Friday.
A masterful display with the ball from Paterson (4/33) and Pollard (3/21) helped restrict the Knights to 125 for nine from their 20 overs in pursuit of 159 needed for victory.
The Knights lost five wickets for nine runs after they had reached 90 for 2 after 13.3 overs as their search of victory imploded.
Proteas bowler Dale Steyn also proved too hot to handle for the out of sorts Knights batsmen as he returned a miserly 0/11 from his four overs.
Justin Ontong took a domestic T20 record five catches in the field, including a caught and bowled to cap off the all-round championship winning effort from the Cape outfit.
The visitors got off to a sedate start, as the opening over from Steyn went for just one run. Their measured approach took a blow as Gerhardt Abrahams fell for nine off the bowling of Robin Peterson with Richard Levi taking a stunning catch at short cover, as the Knights lost their first wicket on 38 after 6.5 overs.
Despite the top order remaining on track to chase their target, the late innings collapse gave the Cobras a comprehensive win.
In the Cobras innings, Omphile Ramela struck 54 from 34 balls and was the backbone of the Cobras innings with his best score of the competition.
The Cobras scored 68 runs in their last five overs to post a formidable total of 158 for four batting first. Ramela struck five fours and two sixes as his side tore apart the Knights bowlers.
Ramela, together with West Indian Pollard blasted 68 runs from 38 balls for the fourth wicket as the Knights attack lost their shape amid the tidal wave of runs at the end of the innings.
Pollard showed exceptional timing in his strokeplay on his way to 43 from 23 balls with six fours.
Earlier, the threat of the big-hitting Levi failed to materialise for the Cobras as he was run out for one after a mixup with opening partner Hashim Amla (26).
None of the Knights bowlers were able to contain the opposition to great effect, with Dillon du Preez coming closest to respectable figures with 1/27 in four overs.
Sapa