Farhaan Behardien posted his eighth first-class century to help the Titans to a half-decent total of 285-7 in a top-of-the-table Sunfoil Series clash with the Highveld Lions.
He was well supported by David Wiese, whose 69 contributed to a fifth-wicket stand of 157, digging the Titans out of a hole when they were 91-4 after they chose to bat in the Jukske derby in Potchefstroom.
Behardien did not last much longer, but long enough to reach 108 off 101 balls with 12 fours and a six before he was caught behind off Hardus Viljoen, freshly released by the Proteas.
Dwaine Pretorius ran through the top-order to close the day with 4-57, while Hardus Viljoen ended with 2-80 off 20 overs.
Rain restricted the day to 72 overs. Titans coach Rob Walter sees this as a defining match: ‘We’ve both won three games at this stage, so whoever is able to come out on top from this game will put some distance between themselves and the other teams. There’ll be some breathing space going into the second half of the season,’ he said.
The Knights‘ seamer Malusi Siboto carried on from where he left off last week by taking six Warriors wickets for 39 runs off 21 overs to restrict the hosts to 210-9 at Buffalo Park.
He excelled in the match against the Lions, taking 7-44 in the second innings, setting up a chance for victory which was blown by the batsmen. But this tally brings to 13 the number of wickets he has taken in two innings, for just 83 runs.
Michael Price and Colin Ingram both fell to Siboto, but not before they had contributed 62 and 89 respectively: the only batsmen to show any resistance. The put on 100 runs for the fourth wicket, but there was little support thereafter.
The Dolphins, led by a fighting 64 from No 6 batsman Daryn Smit, laboured their way to 284-7 against the Cape Cobras in Durban.
It was a case of so much promised and so little delivered as the Dolphins stuttered through the day after winning the toss. They started well enough, racking up 92-1, at which point they lost three quick wickets for 14 runs.
Smit and David Miller (54) then put on 97 for the fifth wicket to help stabilise the situation. But it was hard work. Keshav Maharaj was holding the fort with 30 when stumps were drawn.
