BENONI – A magnificent unbeaten century by Heino Kuhn formed the backbone for a record chase for the Titans as they ended the Sunfoil Series with a consolation four-wicket win over the Warriors late on Sunday.
The veteran opener made 165 not out (285 balls, 19x4, 1x6) – his 21st first-class hundred – as the hosts chased down 316, which was their highest ever fourth-innings total.
The outgoing champions had already surrendered their four-day crown to the Knights the day before, but showed plenty of fight to ensure they bowed out on a high at Willowmoore Park.
The bedrock of their win was Kuhn, but the foundation on the final day came from an opening partnership of 113.
Proteas opener Dean Elgar was the partner for Kuhn during that partnership after he made 58 (106 balls, 5x4, 1x6).
Another vital stand of 69 followed for the second wicket as Aiden Markram batted stubbornly for his 17, while Heinrich Klaasen (13) then helped Kuhn take his team past 200.
There was then a slight wobble from the Titans’ middle-order as three wickets fell for 22, leaving them on 271/6 and just the tail to come.
But Man-of-the-Match and star of the previous three days, Shaun von Berg, provided assured support for Kuhn an unbeaten 35.
Von Berg, who took 10 wickets with his right-arm leg-spin and also made a first-innings century, helped Kuhn put on 45 for the seventh wicket to take their side over the line.
The win took the hosts to 111.16 points, 1.78 less than the new champion Knights (112.94), while the Warriors (84.40) ended bottom.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins and Cape Cobras ambled to a draw in Durban on Sunday.
With both sides out of the title hunt, there was little to play for on the final morning at Kingsmead, unless the hosts managed to claim the final five wickets quickly to set up a chase.
But that did not happen as the visitors advanced from their overnight 156/3 to 291/7.
Van Zyl reached his 21st career ton and ended unbeaten on 101 (263 balls, 9x4). The left-hander also made 108 in the first innings.
Stiaan van Zyl scored two hundreds for the Cape Cobras this weekend. Photo: Samuel Shivambu, BackpagePix
The Dolphins claimed a second wicket inside the first hour when the lead was still inside 250.
But partnerships of 55 and 42 for the sixth and seventh wickets with Aviwe Mgijima (32) and Dane Piedt (25) ended all prospects of a result as the two captains shook hands midway through the afternoon session.
For the home side, it was another fine day with the ball for Senuran Muthusamy as he took another two wickets to end with 4/116, and a career-best 9/183 with his slow left-arm spin.
The result meant the Cobras (94.76 points) ended the season in a credible third having been last at the halfway stage, while the Dolphins (91.67) finished fourth.