The Cape Cobras saw the 4-Day Series title snatched out from under their noses by the Lions on Thursday night.
In a dramatic end to the season, the Lions won the tournament with nine balls remaining after the Warriors had put up a brave battle in Potchefstroom, but they could not hold out for the draw that would have given the Newlanders the crown.
At the start of play on Thursday, Ashwell Prince’s manne were in the driving seat to win the tournament.
Their opponents the Dolphins resumed on 66/0, still 147 runs behind, but the Cobras bowlers just could not get the breakthrough they needed.
By the time their hosts were 358/2 at tea, Cobras skipper Dane Piedt was ready to call it a draw with his team banking the 186 log points.
It meant that only a Lions victory would take the title away from them and with rain in Potch, it appeared as if the gods were on their side.
But the gods are fickle and play resumed after tea with the Lions still needing seven wickets to pull off an unlikely win.
And they did just that as, with his only over of the game, Wihan Lubbe took the ball in the last over and got the final wicket with just his third ball to snatch an 84-run victory and the title.