Eathan Bosch struck a key half-century to help the Dophins take the fight to the Titans on day three of their opening-round 4-Day Franchise Series encounter in Centurion on Wednesday.

The fast bowler made exactly 50 (61 balls, 7 fours) as the visitors replied to their hosts’ 441 with 385 at SuperSport Park, before the innings advantage of 56 was stretched to 173 by the close – Mark Boucher’s side progressing to 117-3.

But with just a day to play, the Titans will have to do extremely well to pull off a win after the men from KwaZulu-Natal tried to take the game to them, thanks to their 21-year-old rising star.

Not only did Bosch take time out of the game with his innings, but also claimed the prize wicket of new home captain Grant Thomson (38) in the penultimate over before stumps.

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The Dolphins had begun day three in a solid enough position on 188-3, but they lost Cody Chetty (16) and Prenelan Subrayen (22) early to slip to 214-5.

Skipper Khaya Zondo (21) was then run out on 250 with his side still trailing by nearly 200 and only four wickets standing.

But, led by Bosch, the tail then wagged handily as Andile Phehlukwayo (32) and Sibonelo Makhanya (47) put on 50 for the seventh wicket, while Daryn Dupavillon (26) helped add 56 for the ninth.

The away side was eventually dismissed in 107.2 overs, with Marcello Piedt the pick of the bowlers with 4-61.

In response, Andrea Agathangelou (18) and Tony de Zorzi (27) handed the Titans a 45-run start, with Thomson also chipping in nicely before he fell to Bosch (1-26).

The other two men were taken out by the miserly Okuhle Cele (1-16) and Phehlukwayo (1-42).

But first-innings centurion Neil Brand was still standing on 23 as the Titans closed in a solid position.

Photo: Gallo Images