The setting could not have been more suitable. A domestic final at Newlands, on a crisp Cape Town day, with no chance of weather interrupting play. A Friday before a public holiday to get the South African public in the mood. Interest in cricket high, thanks to the Cricket World Cup in the subcontinent. And for once, the Standard Bank Pro20 final looked to be contested by two teams who were genuinely the best overall performers in the tournament.

It was the Herschelle Gibbs and Richard Levi show at Newlands on Sunday as the Cobras’ openers helped the home side win the first leg of their semifinal against the Nashua Titans with ease.

The Titans won the toss and chose to bowl in the blazing Cape Town sunshine and Jacques Rudolph and Henry Davids looked in good touch as they notched up a fine partnership of 45. Johann Louw, however, had other ideas and he sent Rudolph stumps cartwheeling towards the end of the sixth over. He struck again just two balls later to send Davids on his way and leave the Titans looking shaky.

The Cape Cobras sealed their spot in the Standard Bank Pro20 semi-finals as Owais Shah played yet another whirlwind knock to help the home side secure a seven wicket win at Newlands.

Despite gloomy conditions and a U2 concert being on the same night, the Newlands faithful still came out to support their boys.

Sahara Park Newlands has long been synonymous with family, friends and entertaining cricket. The opening Standard Bank pro20 between the local Cape Cobras and the Titans from up north was no different.

Despite a sunny day in Cape Town, Newlands cricket ground, as usual, had its own climate. It was rather chilly and quite windy, but that didn’t stop the supporters of coming out to watch the game and when a wicket fell off the first ball of the match, we all knew that we would be set for thrill-a-minute kind of stuff.

What a relief to be into the Standard Bank Pro20 final. After winning the first match against the Cobras we wanted to keep the momentum going but halfway though our innings in Cape Town it looked as if we had lost our way.

    But the 50 partnership between Johan Botha and Craig Thyssen gave us something to bowl at and credit to my team for defending 121.

    The first six overs of the Cobras’ innings were crucial and we managed to take a few wickets to slow them down and then our spinners really put them under pressure.

What a disappointing end to our Standard Bank Pro20 campaign. We just did not play good cricket at all and the Warriors were the better side on the night.

    We only have ourselves to blame. I thought our guys bowled really well and our fielding was pretty good to restrict the Warriors to 121 and to be honest we really should have got those runs.

    It has been the story of our Pro20 season really. We just haven’t scored enough runs. Our top four hasn’t fired all season and we have battled to get someone to bat all the way through our innings.