Warriors suffer big blow

Layoff hopes dashed after Cobras victory

The Chevrolet Warriors suffered a crippling blow in their pursuit of the Momentum One-Day Cup playoff when they suffered a thrilling four-wicket defeat to the Cape Cobras with just one ball to spare in Paarl yesterday. Having endured a poor start to their campaign in the first half of the season last year, the Eastern Cape’s Warriors needed to win all five of their remaining pool matches to keep their hopes alive.

And expectations were high that they could pull off an unexpected comeback after an impressive victory over the Dolphins in Port Elizabeth on Friday night, but yesterday’s heartbreaking loss has in all likelihood put an end to their challenge with three matches to play.

By contrast, the Cobras put one foot in the final as an 86 knock by Andrew Puttick set them up for the win over the Eastern Cape franchise.

Although they restricted the Warriors to 228 for eight, with Robin Peterson’s two for 44 in 10 overs the pick of the bowling, the visitors squeezed the Cobras batsmen throughout the chase before the hosts snuck home off the penultimate ball of the game.

The Cobras now have an eight-point lead over the second-placed Titans, who would need to win their remaining two games and hope that the Cobras lose their last fixture against the Dolphins to prevent a final at Newlands.

-Herald Correspondent