Johannesburg – The Titans were poised to notch up their first win of the season, with the Warriors still trailing by 363 runs at stumps on day three of their domestic four-day game at Willowmoore Park, in Benoni, on Saturday.
By the close of play, the Warriors had reached 51 for two, facing the prospect of batting out the entire fourth day to salvage a draw.
Earlier, the Warriors resumed on their overnight score of 158
for five with Colin Ingram and Simon Harmer at the wicket.
Harmer was first out, caught Theunis de Bruyn bowled Juan de Villiers for 51. The breakthrough ended a 111-run sixth wicket partnership between the pair with the score on 197 for six.
Ingram continued to bat with the tail, and brought up his eighth first class hundred. The left-hander was eventually out for 111, bowled Ethy Mbhalati, caught Heino Kuhn, as the Warriors were 291
all out.
Despite a 248-run lead in the first innings, the Titans decided not to enforce the follow-on. Instead the hosts made 165 for five in their second stint with the bat at a quickfire 5.89 runs per over.
Dean Elgar (45) and captain Henry Davids (43) both contributed handy-scores as the Titans set the Warriors a mammoth 414 to win.
In Potchefstroom, the Knights staged a comeback to reach the close of play on 267 for two, against the Lions.
The visitors trailed the Lions by 101 runs after the first innings was completed as the Lions posted 368 earlier in the day.
Dillon du Preez ended with figures of 5/54 for the Knights.
The Knights, however, were soon in trouble as Reeza Hendricks was out caught Stephen Cook, bowled Hardus Viljoen second ball of the innings for a duck.
Gerhardt Abrahams (67) came to wicket, and together with Gihahn Cloete the pair put on 138 for the second wicket.
The stand was brought to an end by Viljoen as he clean bowled Abrahams.
It would prove to be the last strike on the day for the Lions, as Rudi Second (72) and Cloete amassed 129 runs unbeaten at stumps, and a 166 run lead on the hosts. – Sapa