Johannesburg - Vaughn van Jaarsveld's sixth list A hundred put the Dolphins in prime position for a home play-off in the One-Day Cup after beating the Cape Cobras by 25 runs at Newlands on Friday.
Van Jaarsveld guided the Dolphins from a tricky position of 108 for four in the 26th over to a final total of 249 for nine as he hit 105 from 96 balls.
He then during the Cobras' innings took an important catch to end a stubborn partnership with the home side threatening to chase down their target.
Rory Kleinveldt put on 68 for the ninth wicket with an injured Justin Kemp as the Cobras edged towards victory.
But Van Jaarsveld held on to dismiss the Kleinveldt and eventually bowl-out the Cobras for 224 in the 47th over.
Although the Cobras still finished top of the table after the Titans loss to the Warriors, the result moved the Dolphins into second place ahead of their final group game against the Pretoria franchise in Durban on Sunday, where the winner would host the play-off on Tuesday.
Sybrand Engelbrecht took a good catch and effected a run-out in the space of two balls to leave the visitors four-down, but Van Jaarsveld soon took the initiative with a sharp counter-attack that allowed his new partner Daryn Smit to hold up an end.
After Smit was bowled by Robin Peterson (2 for 37), Van Jaarsveld continued his attack until he fell to Mthokozisi Shezi in the final over.
His knock gave the Dolphins the momentum, and they quickly reduced the Cobras to 19 for four before Andrew Puttick (44) and Dane Vilas (65) revived the innings.
When a second collapse left the Cobras 143 for eight the home side looked dead and buried, but Kleinveldt (46) and Kemp (31 not out) edged them closer until Andile Phehlukwayo (3 for 54) and Robbie Frylinck (2 for 21) made the final breakthroughs to give the Dolphins a vital win.
Sapa