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Paarl - A strong all-round bowling performance from the Titans saw them dismiss the Cape Cobras for just 308 and take the honours from day one of their Sunfoil Series clash at Boland Park.
Rowan Richards led the pack with a three-wicket haul as the Cobras were dismissed in 83.4 overs, before the Titans advanced to 45 without loss at the close of play.
Justin Ontong, Dane Vilas, Rory Kleinveldt and Mthokozisi Shezi all returned to the Cobras line-up after missing last week’s game in Kimberley, but the home side’s innings was a story of missed opportunities, with all but one of their batsmen reaching double figures and only Dane Piedt (66) scoring more than 35.
They made a steady enough start after winning the toss and electing to bat by reaching 72 for one, only to fall to 144 for six as Richards (three for 91) claimed three key wickets.
Having found the edge of Stiaan van Zyl’s bat during his first spell, the left-armer returned to pick up the wickets of Ontong and Andrew Puttick later on.
It was left to the tail to carry the Cobras to a respectable total, with Piedt rallying his fellow bowlers as he shared a 61-run stand for the ninth wicket with Travis Muller (35) and then added 49 for the final wicket with Dane Paterson.
Paterson was 24 not out when Piedt was run out to bring the innings to a close, leaving the Titans with 10 overs to bat.
With Heino Kuhn forced out by a back problem, Theunis de Bruyn moved up to open the batting alongside Dean Elgar and the pair made a confident start.
Both batsmen went to stumps unbeaten on 22, with De Bruyn needing just 25 deliveries to score his runs, meaning the Titans will begin day two trailing by 263 runs.
