Thami Tsolekile’s 318-ball 113 had ensured that the Lions held a comfortable first innings lead over the Knights. After dismissing the Knights for 267 on the first day, the Lions responded with 368.

The Knights came back strongly in their second dig. Gihahn Cloete scored a patient century at the top of the order on his 22^nd birthday.  He finished on 135 as the Knights were bowled out for 381.

That left the Lions chasing a winning target of 281 for victory but they lost wickets at regular intervals and at one stage slumped to 74-6. They were all out for 137 in just 43.5 overs, with Werner Coetsee claiming 4-34.

In Benoni, Roelof van der Merwe struck an unbeaten double hundred in the Titans first innings. They amassed 539-6 declared before dismissing the Warriors for 291. The Titans then scored 165-5 at almost six an over in the their second innings to set a target in 414.

It was the first time that the Titans all-rounder had passed the three figure mark and he made the most of it, cashing in on a flat track to register a really big one. Despite Van der Merwe navigating uncharted waters, he showed no signs of nerves as her smashed a six to bring up the milestone.

He finished on 205 not out off just 260 deliveries. The speed at which he scored his runs should give the Titans enough time to wrap up victory against a mentally drained Warriors outfit.

It could have been worse for the Warriors had it not been for Colin Ingram playing a captain’s innings. He scored a defiant 111 off 301 deliveries.

In chasing the huge target required for victory the Warriors again relied heavily on Ingram, who was sixth man out, for 93, with the score on 225. They were all out for 243, with Rowan Richards ending things in style.

He took a hat-trick with the final three balls of the match to finish with figures of 5-31 in 14.4 overs with his left-hand fast medium.

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