Warriors lose to Titans in Benoni heat

THE cauldron that was Sahara Park Willowmoore in Benoni held no fire demons for Andrea Agathangelou and Rivaldo Moonsamy as they both recorded centuries and a partnership of 179.

Their endeavours enabled the Multiply Titans to post a 104-run victory in their Momentum One-Day Cup match against the Warriors.

The Warriors, facing a massive target of 313 to chase, after restricting the Titans to 312 for seven, were dismissed for 208 in 38.4 overs.

The Warriors got off to to an inauspicious start, losing the wickets of Lesiba Ngoepe and Colin Ackermann with only 35 runs on the board after seven overs. Gihahn Cloete and Yaseen Vallie instigated a revival with a third-wicket partnership of 71.

However, Grant Thomson bowling his military mediums claimed the wicket of Vallie. His dismissal was the first of what was to prove a defining spell, as a cluster of seven wickets fell for 53 runs to bring the innings to a close.

Vallie (29) looked to straight-drive the bowler, but Thomson, following through, flung himself to the left to take a brilliant catch.

The Warriors captain, Jon-Jon Smuts’s visit was fleeting, as were those of Christiaan Jonker, Simon Harmer, Clayton Bosch and Andrew Birch. Cloete (82, off 74-balls-13x4) was standing alone but he eventually succumbed.

The tail wagged as Magala Sisanda and Aya Gqamane added 49 for the last wicket..

Earlier, the home side won the toss and elected to bat with the openers, Agathangelou and Victor Mahlango, getting off to a steady if unspectacular start.

After 30 overs the home side appeared to be coasting at 174 for one.

However, the searing heat probably played a major part in the dismissal of Agathangelou, as he offered a nothing kind of shot to a Magala delivery, which destroyed the furniture. The batsman’s 157 minute, 124-ball sojourn at the crease yielded 113 runs (9x4, 4x6).

A 98-ball 107 (11x4,2x6) - his second List A ton - was posted by Moonsamy, but unfortunately he was run out by a direct hit from Bosch.

Magala was the best of the attack with 3/65. — SuperSport