The defending champions the Titans tasted defeat again as they lost to the Warriors by six wickets at St George’s Park.
It’s been a tough start at the helm for new Titans coach Mark Boucher, who has seen his team lose their opening two Sunfoil matches in resounding fashion.
The Warriors were blown away by the Dolphins in the opening round, but they responded in convincing style, thanks largely to 136 from the in-form Colin Ackermann, which gave them a 131-run first-innings lead. Morne Morkel bowled 26 overs in that innings and picked up decent figures of 3-54 as he looks to fight his way back to fitness in time for the Proteas’ tour of Australia next month.
Another unconvincing batting display from the Titans saw them bowled out for 235, leaving the Warriors with just 105 needed for victory. They close it out relatively comfortably through Ed Moore’s 58 not out, to notch up their first win of the season.
The Cobras continue to struggle as another underwhelming performance piles more pressure on head coach Paul Adams, who a number of senior players within the squad want to see out. A massive 10-wicket defeat to the Lions last week was followed up by 175-run loss to the impressive Knights on Friday.
The Cobras have failed to post more than 300 so far in the campaign, which was always going to be a problem against a determined Knights unit, who posted 342 in both innings. Centuries from Pite van Biljon and Rudi Second gave the Cobras 443 to track down. Three players put their hands up as Zubayr Hamza and Matthew Kleinveldt recorded fifties and Jason Smith struck an 88-ball ton, but Marchant de Lange was chief destroyer as he was against the Titans last week, notching up figures of 6-61 to see them cruise home.
In the other fixture from this week the Lions were routed by the Dolphins by 77 runs, as Robbie Frylinck secured a South African First-Class record match figures of 14-62.
Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images
