Benoni - Bjorn Fortuin led a largely disciplined bowling performance as the Highveld Lions held the advantage over the Titans at the
halfway stage of their
Sunfoil Series clash at Willowmoore in Benoni on Friday.
The
slow left-armer took 2/21 in 11 overs to restrict the hosts to 146/4 by
stumps, still trailing the visitors by 201 runs after they had amassed
347 all out earlier
on day two.
Nicky
van den Bergh fell one run short of a century, while Nono Pongolo
struck a career-best franchise cricket score of 49 not out (129 balls, 7
fours).
The
tail-ender put on 80 with Van den Bergh for the ninth wicket, with the
latter falling for 99 (203 balls, 8 fours) when he was trapped leg
before wicket by Proteas spinner Tabraiz Shamsi, who picked up 3/108. The Lions had
resumed at the start on 265/8.
The
pick of the bowlers was Malusi Siboto with his 3/51, while another
Proteas player, Chris Morris - returning from a long-term knee injury -
ended with 2/68 in 25
overs.
The Titans reply was a stuttered one as wickets fell at regular intervals.
All
four top-order batsmen had starts, but none of them kicked on. Grant
Mokoena top-scored with 35, while Aiden Markram (29), Henry Davids (31)
and Heino Kuhn (18)
failed to make more of their early runs.
Heinrich Klaasen was unbeaten on 26 at the close, with a wicket apiece for Dwaine Pretorius (1/20) and Aya Myoli (1/18).
Hardus
Viljoen was the rare bowler that faltered as his 11 overs went for a
costly 67, but his side held the upper hand at the close.