The Titans are turning the screw on the Knights in their bid to take second place on the Sunfoil log.
They wrapped up the Knights first innings at 297 on Saturday afternoon, retaining a lead of 155 and immediately enforced the follow-on. It was a brave decision which paid off when they took three wickets for 97 by the close. The Knights are now 58 behind with seven wickets remaining.
The Knights got to where they did in the first innings thanks to a brilliant 68 from No 9 batsman Dillon Du Preez, building on a solid 53 from Michael Erlank.
Du Preez put on 45 with Shadley van Schalkwyk (22) and 56 with Quinton Friend (14). David Wiese continued to run rampant and ended with six for 58 off 22 overs.
Marchand de Lange then stepped up to dismiss Gihahn Cloete and Letlotlo Sisele in successive overs, and Rowan Richards sent back the dangerous Rudi Second to have the Knights reeling at 42-3. Reeza Hendricks, though, is holding the fort with 65 off 78 balls (9×4, 1×6), accompanied by Pite van Biljon on 22.
Dolphins v Cobras, Pietermaritzburg
Rain and a defiant whirlwind 121 from Morne van Wyk stood between the Cobras and a comprehensive win over the Dolphins.
The Cobras quickly wrapped up the Dolphins first innings for 245 on Saturday morning, which left them with a lead of 352. Their bowlers had not been particularly taxed, needing only 13 on Saturday morning to close the innings, and with the threat of rain ever present, they sent the Dolphins in to bat again.
Dane Paterson and Mpilo Njoloza then ripped through the Dolphins top order, taking two wickets apiece in three overs to leave the hosts reeling 8-4. Divan van Wyk stood firm, while his brother Morne went on the rampage. They put on 155 in 20 overs, when Divan van Wyk fell to the offspin of Dane Piedt for 48.
The spinner also removed Ryan McLaren (20) after 43 had been added shortly before tea. Then the rain came and play stopped for the day.
Lions v Warriors, Johannesburg
Neil McKenzie scored an unbeaten 203 to enable the Highveld Lions go for the kill on Sunday. Alviro Petersen assisted with 69, as did Hardus Viljoen (39). The final score of 464 gave the Lions a lead of 246, and Viljoen broke an opening stand of 64 by trapping David White lbw late in the day.
The Warriors ended on 73-1 in their second innings, still trailing the Lions by 191 runs.
McKenzie’s innings included 24 fours and two sixes off 394 balls.
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