Day three of the Sunfoil fixtures saw Wiaan Mulder, Pieter Malan, Zubayr Hamza, and Pite van Biljon record tons.
It was a vital day for the trailing sides, who needed big contributions to stay in the game.
In the Jukskei derby in Centurion, the Lions found themselves in some trouble at the end of day two. The Gauteng side started day three on 170-4, which meant that a massive effort was needed from their middle order.
Nicky van den Bergh and Mulder provided the muscle.
After Dwaine Pretorius and Mangaliso Mosehle lost their wickets on 24 and 13 respectively, Van den Bergh and Mulder lifted their side from 212-6. The pair put on 96 for the seventh wicket, before Van den Bergh fell six runs shy of a ton.
Mulder, however, showed real maturity to reach his second first-class century. The 19-year-old ex-SA U19 captain struck a measured 213-ball 127 not out, but his tail failed to support him further, as the Lions were all out for 408.
Pretorius sent Heino Kuhn packing on eight before a run-out dismissed Tony de Zorzi on nine, the Titans ending day three on 50-2.
In Port Elizabeth, the Cobras continued their good start, which saw them post an overnight score of 161-1 in reply to the Warriors’ 452-6d.
Zubayr Hamza and Pieter Malan dug deep as they both passed the 100 mark to give their side a competitive edge.
Spin seemed to be the order of the day as Hamza fell to Tabraiz Shamsi on 111 off 225 balls. Malan was next to go, with the Cobras on 279, Jon-Jon Smuts dismissing him on 124. Justin Ontong (59) and Kyle Verreynne (33) were added to Smuts’ hit list, as the Warriors captain finished with 4-38. The Cobras declared on 387-8, 65 runs behind.
Two Dane Paterson wickets saw the Warriors end on 71-2 in their second innings. A thrilling final day awaits.
In Durban, the Knights struggled to hunt down the 426-8d from the Dolphins. A late century from Biljon pulled his side back into the contest. Biljon was helped out by Rudi Second as the Knights went from 60-4 to 238-5, Second losing his wicket on 83. With the Knights on 247-6 and Biljon on 100 not out, time was called.
Photo: Highveld Lions via Twitter
