Dolphins and Lions Triumph as Hollywoodbets Pro50 Series Gets Underway

The inaugural Hollywoodbets Pro50 Series exploded into action with the Hollywoodbets Dolphins Women and DP World Lions Women making emphatic statements, storming to victory in their thrilling clashes at Kingsmead and Mangaung Oval on Saturday, 5 October, 2024.

At Hollywoodbets Kingsmead, the Dolphins Women claimed a dramatic two-wicket victory over Titans Women. Winning the toss and opting to bat, the Titans posted 207 all out in 48.4 overs. 

Robyn Searle anchored the innings with a gritty 59, but key wickets tumbled at regular intervals. Jade de Figueiredo was instrumental for the Dolphins, snaring crucial wickets, including Searle and Masabata Klaas for a duck. 

Gandhi Jafta (10) and Kay-Leigh Tapp (23) fell to Alexandra Candler, while run outs claimed Eliz-Mari Marx (6), Amogelang Mphangula (5), and Tebogo Macheke, who contributed a vital 36.

In response, the Dolphins Women chased down the target with eight overs to spare, finishing on 208/8 in 42 overs. Nodumiso Shangase’s 62 and Asamkele Kawu’s 63 were pivotal in the chase. 

Titans’ Marx dismissed both Candler and Kawu, and Monalisa Legodi’s breakthrough wickets, including Shangase and Courtney Gounden (23), gave the Titans hope. However, De Figueiredo (11*) and Nobulumko Baneti (1*) saw the Dolphins home in a tense finish.

Meanwhile, at Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein, the Lions Women secured a commanding 116-run victory over the Knights Women. After being asked to bat first, the Lions posted a formidable total of 268/5, with Karabo Meso leading the charge with a superb 128. 

Jenna Evans added an unbeaten 65*, while Palesa Mapoo (23) and Diara Ramlakan (36) also chipped in. Zintle Kula was the standout bowler for the Knights, taking three wickets, including Meso’s prized scalp, while Yolandi Potgieter claimed two wickets.

The Knights’ chase never truly got going, despite half-centuries from Verunissa Reddy and Zintle Kula. Potgieter’s 30 added resistance, but the Lions’ bowling attack, led by Sarah Nettleton and Jenna Evans – who each took two wickets – proved too strong. Lehlohonolo Meso also contributed with a key dismissal, sealing a dominant win for the Lions.

As the Hollywoodbets Pro50 Series begins, these two matches have set the stage for an exciting tournament ahead.

2024/25 Hollywoodbets Pro50 Series Fixtures and Results 

5 Oct ‘24, 09h00: Dolphins Women beat Titans Women by 2 wickets (Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium)
5 Oct ‘24, 09h00: Knights Women lost to Lions Women by 116 runs (Mangaung Oval) 
12 Oct ‘24, 10h00: Western Province Women v Knights Women (WSB Newlands Cricket Ground)
12 Oct ‘24, 10h00: Badgers Women v Dolphins Women (Recreation Ground)
19 Oct ‘24, 10h00: Lions Women v Badgers Women (DP World Wanderers)
19 Oct ‘24, 10h00: Titans Woman v Western Province Women (SuperSport Park)
2 Nov ‘24, 10h00: Knights Women v Dolphins Women (Mangaung Oval)
2 Nov ’24, Titans Women vs Lions Women (SuperSport Park)
16 Nov ‘24, 09h30: Dolphins Women v Badgers Women (Hollywoodbets Kingsmead)
16 Nov’ 24, 10h00: Lions Women v Western Province Women (DP World Wanderers) 
23 Nov ‘24, 10h00: Knights Women v Western Province Women (Mangaung Oval)
23 Nov ‘24, 10h00: Titans Women v Dolphins Women (SuperSport Park)
30 Nov ‘24, 10h00: Western Province Women v Titans Women (WSB Newlands Cricket Ground)
30 Nov ‘24, 10h00: Badgers Women v Knights Women (Recreation Ground)
14 Dec ‘24, 09h30: Dolphins Women v Lions Women (Hollywoodbets Kingsmead) 
14 Dec ‘24, 10h00: Badgers Women v Western Province Women (Recreation Ground)
15 Feb ‘25, 10h00: Lions Women v Knights Women (DP World Wanderers) 
15 Feb ‘25, 10h00: Titans Women v Badgers Women (SuperSport Park)
22 Feb ’25, 10h00: Western Province Women v Lions Women (WSB Newlands Cricket Ground)
22 Feb ’25, 09h30: Dolphins Women v Knights Women (Hollywoodbets Kingsmead) 
22 Feb ’25, 10h00: Badgers Women v Titans Women (Recreation Ground) 
1 Mar ’25, 09h30: Dolphins Women v Western Province Women (Hollywoodbets Kingsmead)
1 Mar ’25, 10h00: Knights Women v Titans Women (Mangaung Oval)
1 Mar ’25, 10h00: Badgers Women v Lions Women (Recreation Ground) 
8 Mar ’25, 10h00: Western Province Women v Badgers Women (WSB Newlands Cricket Ground)
8 Mar ’25, 10h00: Lions Women v Dolphins Women (DP World Wanderers)
8 Mar ’25, 10h00: Titans Women v Knights Women (SuperSport Park)
22 Mar ’25, 10h00: Western Province Women v Dolphins Women (WSB Newlands Cricket Ground)
22 Mar ’25, 10h00: Knights Women v Badgers Women (Mangaung Oval)
22 Mar ’25, 10h00: Lions Women v Titans Women (DP World Wanderers) 

Main Photo Caption: A historic day with a new title sponsor, the Hollywoodbets Pro50 Series start saw Knights Women up against visitors the DP World Lions Women at the Mangaung Stadium in Bloemfontein (pictured), and defending champs Hollywoodbets Dolphins Women facing Fidelity Titans at Kingsmead, on Saturday, 5 October, 2024. Photo: Dolphins Cricket

Photo 2 Caption: Defending champs Hollywoodbets Dolphins Women edging a dramatic tie by 2 wickets against visitors Titans Women. Photo: Dolphins Cricket

Photo 3 Caption: Nonkululeko Thabethe notched up an enthralling 50 as the Lions set up stall in their first outing of the new season. Photo: DP World Lions Cricket