The Highveld Strikers lost four wickets in the final over of their innings before squeaking to their first Standard Bank Cup victory of the season, beating Border by one wicket off the penultimate ball of the match at Buffalo Park on Friday night.

The Strikers went into the final over night eight to win with five wickets standing, but Liam Graham won three lbw decisions either side of the run out of Marthinus Otto before Azeem Mohammed took a boundary off the fifth legal ball of the over for the winning runs.

Earlier, Border failed to capitalise on a 64-run opening partnership between Craig Sugden and Mark Bruyns in 17 overs as they reached 173 for six. Burton de Wett, who went in at three, was left unbeaten on 53 before Adam Bacher (50) and Grant Elliott (43) set up the thrilling finish.

In Kimberley captain Wendell Bossenger saw Griquas home to a three-wicket victory over Easterns.

The visitors suffered an early collapse, slipping to 43 for six and 62 for seven before Ant Botha's 45 lifted Easterns to 159 all out and although Griquas made heavy weather of a modest target, Bossenger made an unbeaten 30 to take his side to victory. Zahir Abrahim won the man of the match award for his three for 21 in the Easterns innings.

At Newlands, Western Province beat the North West Dragons by seven runs after Graeme Smith's 97 had lifted the home side to 224 for seven. Smith shared a 114-run partnership for the second wicket with Jonathan Trott (50) to set North West a target beyond their capabilities, despite Martin Venter's 59. Roger Telemachus and Paul Adams picked up three North West wickets apiece.

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