
The Lions needed just a session and a half to claim the last nine Cobras wickets and wrap up the points on the final day, as the reigning champions were bowled out for just 140 in their second innings to lose by an innings and 35 runs.
While the Lions were always favourites to emerge victorious after the Cobras went into the final day trailing by 123 runs with nine wickets in hand, the scale of the result exceeded expectations and has put another dent in the Cobras' efforts to retain the trophy that they have lifted for the past two seasons.
The Lions, by contrast, opened up a considerable lead at the top of the table, as their 17.94 points took their overall tally to 61.4 from four games - more than 15 points clear of the second-placed Titans.
It took less than three overs for Deeb to strike on day five as he removed Keegan Petersen for 23, and the other overnight batsman, Omphile Ramela, was caught behind off the bowling of Pumelela Matshikwe (2 for 26) for a top score of 32 half an hour later.