Bloemfontein – An eighth career five-wicket haul from Rowan Richards put the Titans in total control at the halfway stage of their domestic four-day encounter against the log-leading Knights in Bloemfontein on Friday.
The fast bowler claimed five for 38 in a superb display of quick bowling as the hosts were bundled out for just 185 in response to the visitors' 366.
The Pretoria side then reached stumps on 115 for three, an overall lead of 396, capping an impressive all-round day in the Free State.
However, things did not begin all that well as they lost their remaining two wickets for just two runs in the second over of the morning, sent down by Malusi Siboto, who ended with figures of three for 58.
Richards then took out Gihahn Cloete (three), Rudi Second (14), Pite van Biljon (two), Siboto (40) and Quinton Friend (four) as the hosts were dismissed in 48.2 overs.
Reeza Hendricks did manage 64 in an otherwise dismal batting display.
First-innings centurion Heino Kuhn made 44 second time around to give the Titans complete control of the match.
Meanwhile, in Cape Town, Dwaine Pretorius starred with bat and ball for the Highveld Lions to leave their match against the Cape Cobras evenly poised.
The hosts closed the day on 214 for four in response to the away side posting a strong 413 all out in the first innings.
The Lions added 120 for the final four wickets on day two thanks mainly to Pretorius' 53 off 74 balls, while George Linde (2-101) and Dane Paterson (2-53) claimed the remaining wickets to fall.
The Cobras were in some bother early on in their reply after slumping to 76 for four by the 22nd over.
Pretorius claimed two for 23 and took out the dangerous Richard Levi (38) and Yaseen Vallie (seven).
But Justin Ontong (60 not out) and Dane Vilas (63 not out) shared an unbroken 138-run stand to keep the defending champions well in the contest, although the deficit remained at 199.
Finally in Pietermaritzburg, the Warriors ended the day with the upper hand despite some late fight from debutant Ryan McLaren, who was unbeaten on 38, as the Dolphins closed on 262 for eight.
They were still 91 runs behind the visiting side's 353, but the deficit looked like it would have been far greater after the hosts had slumped to 169 for seven after three wickets for Simon Harmer (3-102).
Wayne Parnell was the other stand-out performer for the Warriors when he collected his eighth career half century and also claimed two for 46.
Colin Ingram was out for his overnight 69 at the start of the day, while Parnell ended unbeaten on 74.
Imran Tahir was the pick of the home bowlers with his four for 83. Vaughn van Jaarsveld then struck an aggressive 71 off 86
deliveries, before his side hit trouble and it was left to McLaren and Thandi Tshabalala (30) to dig them out of their mess while Tahir (21 not out) was playing a good support role by the close. – Sapa