An unbeaten century by Eddie Moore was matched by a superb six-wicket haul by Chris Morris as the Warriors ended the opening day of their 4-Day Domestic Series encounter in Centurion on Friday with a morale-boosting advantage over the Titans.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, the visitors found themselves on 134 for five, before recovering to post a competitive 307 at Supersport Park. By the close, the home side had reached 24 for one with Simon Harmer claiming the prize wicket of Dean Elgar for a single.
Opener Moore led the way by carrying his bat for 116 in 203 balls (16 fours, 2 sixes) after Proteas all-rounder Morris bullied the travelling batsmen, taking six wickets for 66 runs in 18 solid overs.
The big fast bowler, part of a strong Titans side that also included Aiden Markram, Theunis de Bruyn and Farhaan Behardien, could not get Moore, though, as he stayed put from start to finish.
Early on he lost fellow opener Clyde Fortuin for a fourth-ball duck to Morris, before Colin Ackermann fell for 25 in the 14th over of proceeding. Moore then found support in Yaseen Vallie, who struck a rapid 52 off 55 balls that included 11 fours – the pair adding 74 for the third wicket.
But Morris removed the latter as well as Jon-Jon Smuts for a duck and the in-form Sinethemba Qeshile (12) to leave the Warriors in a hole. However, Lesiba Ngoepe (34) added 85 with Moore for the sixth wicket and Anrich Nortje (18) provided further support to help reach 300 before the visitors were bowled out in 73 overs.
Alfred Mothoa was the other bowler to pick up more than one wicket after he returned two for 62. Harmer then struck in the third over to remove Elgar as Markram (13) and Tony de Zorzi (nine) negotiated the remaining overs with the champions trailing by 283.
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