A career-best century from Wiaan Mulder ensured the Highveld Lions enjoyed a much better day three of their Sunfoil Series derby against the Titans at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Saturday.
The teenage all-rounder made 127 (213 balls, 20x4), his second first-class ton, as the visitors made 408 all out, before reducing the hosts to 50/2 by the close – a lead of 94.
Mulder, who is only playing his ninth first-class game and was on stand-by for the Proteas earlier in the week, helped rescue his team from 212/6 at one stage.
He shared in a seventh-wicket partnership of 96 with Nicky van den Bergh (94 off 189 balls, 15x4) allowing the Lions to put up a bold fight following the Titans’ first-innings 452/7 declared.
Debutant Migael Pretorius was the pick of the bowlers with 3/78, while Shaun von Berg collected 3/109.
The home side then found themselves in trouble on 30/2 after Dwaine Pretorius dismissed Heino Kuhn (8) and Tony de Zorzi (9) was run out. But Jonathan Vandiar’s 27 kept the away side at bay in the closing overs.