An inspired opening spell from Johann Louw set the Cape Cobras up for a comprehensive 55-run victory over the Dolphins in their One-day Cup clash at Newlands on Friday night.

Louw claimed three wickets with the new ball, with fellow opening bowler Charl Langeveldt (2/24) also claiming one, to put the skids under the visitors' run chase.

The Dolphins failed to recover from slumping to 14/4 in their pursuit of 230 for victory, despite a defiant 116 from Vaughn van Jaarsveld.

Both Cameron Delport and Dolphins skipper Daryn Smit were snaffled up at second slip by Justin Kemp for ducks after Louw managed to move the ball just enough away off a helpful Newlands surface.

Langeveldt clean bowled Imraan Khan before Louw (3/24) claimed another with a beautiful delivery to Davy Miller shortly afterwards.

Van Jaarsveld tried his best to keep the Dolphins afloat with the highest limited overs score of his career, and his third century.

But the former Highveld Lion required support from the remainder of the Dolphins middle-order if he was to complete a marvellous comeback.

It did not materialise with only Cody Chetty getting more than six, let alone double figures.

Van Jaarsveld and Chetty shared a 103-run partnership – the highest of the match – for the fifth wicket to give Lance Klusener's side some hope.

This was diminished, though, when Cobras captain Justin Ontong induced Chetty to play with his leading edge.

Several more wickets fell to make sure there was no way back for the Dolphins.

Matters seemed different at the supper interval when the Dolphins bowlers had rallied superbly to restrict the home side to a par total.

After looking set for a score in the region of close to 270 due to splendid half-centuries from Richard Levi (55) and Dane Vilas (84), the Cobras lost their last five wickets for just 72 runs.

Levi and Vilas had both showed good restraint and temperament for the majority of their innings, only for both to eventually lose their patience against young off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen.

The former South African under-19 international showed good character in opening the bowling and removing both Cobras batsmen in identical fashion – caught on the long-off boundary.

The Cobras suffered another middle-order collapse, but fortunately for Paul Adams' team it was not costly on the night.

The defending champions' second win on the trot keeps them firmly in contention for a playoff spot and could solidify their position further with a victory over the Highveld Lions in Potchefstroom on Sunday.