DAY 1: Kleinveldt and Lubbe tilt match in Dragons' favour

Matthew Kleinveldt and Wihan Lubbe scored brilliant half-centuries to lead the Renault Potchefstroom North West Dragons to 252-4 at stumps in their CSA 4-Day Series encounter against the Momentum Multiply Titans at SuperSport Park on Thursday.

The Dragons won the toss and elected to bat first. They made good use of the conditions courtesy of half-centuries from Kleinveldt and Lubbe.

The visitors had Wihan Lubbe (69*) and Ruan de Swardt (10*) at the crease at the close of play.

Kleinveldt narrowly missed out on an 18th first-class century.

The 35-year-old looked in control of his innings for most of the day until the moment he tried to sweep a Neil Brand delivery. 

He only got an edge to it before Rivaldo Moonsamy took a regulation catch behind the stumps.

His dismissal came after he had spent 230 minutes in the middle. He had scored 97 off 150 deliveries.

The opener was part of three partnerships for the Dragons. The first two collapsed just when they looked promising and then the third was an outstanding 100-run third-wicket stand with Lubbe.

IN-FORM LUBBE

The Dragons were on 121-2 when Lubbe arrived at the crease.

Lubbe got under way with a boundary and looked unstoppable from that point onwards. 

He spanked 11 boundaries on his way to a 40-ball half-century.

This is his 16th first-class half-ton and his second in consecutive matches.

Lubbe scored 59 in the first innings against the Hollywoodbets Dolphins last week. It is also his third 50 of the season.

Kleinveldt and Lubbe's partnership was followed by a 14-run fourth-wicket stand between Lubbe and Meeka-eel Prince.

It was succeeded by an unbroken 17-run partnership between Lubbe and De Swardt.

The duo steered the visitors to the close of play without further damage.

Matthew Boast was the Titans' most successful bowler with two wickets for 56 runs in 15 overs.

In contrast, Merrick Brett had a day to forget. He conceded 60 runs in 11 overs for an economy of 5.46.

TITANS: Brayden Hicks, Neil Brand (capt), Keegan Petersen, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, Rivaldo Moonsamy (wk), Andile Phehlukwayo, Matthew Boast, Junior Dala, Merrick Brett, Lesego Kokohlabana.

DRAGONS: Matthew Kleinveldt, Lesiba Ngoepe, Raynard van Tonder, Wihan Lubbe (capt), Meeka-eel Prince, Ruan de Swardt, Rubin Hermann (wk), Bamanye Xenxe, Lutendo Tsanwani, Odirile Modimokoane, Hardus Viljoen.