The Highveld Lions rubbed it in as they powered their way to 580-7 declared against the Cape Cobras in the Sunfoil series on Friday.
Resuming on 346-4 in Potchefstroom, Yassar Cook took over after Dominic Hendricks had added just 30 to his overnight score of 130.
Cook hammered his way to 92, after which the Lions went into T20 mode. Nicky van den Bergh went to 82 off 54 balls (10×4, 4×6) with Dwaine Pretorius adding 60 off 40 balls (6×4. 3×6). Together they put on 139 in a mere 15 overs. The Cobras used nine bowlers in an effort to stop the rot,
When they finally tired of batting, only Andrew Puttick and Dane Vilas resisted the Lions attack in the afternoon. Puttick ended the day unbeaten on 58 while Vilas threw caution to wind, smashing 47 off 30 balls as his battered team struggled to 154-5 at stumps.
Log leaders Titans reasserted their authority as they built up a strong lead over the Knights at Centurion.
Having run up a dubious 277, they bowled the Knights out for a woeful 122, with Marchant de Lange and Rowan Richards taking four apiece.
Michael Erlank was the top scorer with 27, and for a while he and Reeza Hendricks offered some resistance, putting on 49 for the second wicket. But then Ethy Mbhalati ripped in, dismissing Hendricks, lbw for 23, and Rudi Second (0) in successive balls. It was downhill all the way from there.
The Titans returned to the crease and were 143-2 at stumps, with Heino Kuhn in good form on 71 off 124 balls (9×4). They lead by 298 with eight wickets remaining.
Down south in East London, the Dolphins built up a formidable lead, declaring at 450-8 against the Warriors. But large chunks of the day were lost to rain and bad light, which may have prompted their decision to declare and get the opposition in.
Only 38 overs were bowled, but that was enough for Morne van Wyk to move on from 45 overnight to his 19th first-class hundred. Keshav Maharaj added some muscle with an unbeaten 51 at a run a ball (4×4, 3×6) as they put on 84 in 15 overs for the seventh wicket, when Van Wyk fell for 122 off 147 balls (14×4, 1×6).
It’s up their bowlers now to get a win out of this match.
Highveld Lions v Cape Cobras scoreboard
Warriors v Dolphins scoreboard
