DAY 1: Dala's five-wicket haul puts Titans ahead

Junior Dala registered his eighth first-class five-wicket haul as the Multiply Titans wrestled for control on day one of their contest against the Dafabet Warriors at Dafabet St George's Park on Thursday. 

At stumps, the Titans were on 86-3.

The Titans trail the Warriors by 71 runs with seven wickets in hand.

The home side won the toss, elected to bat first and was bowled out for 157.

The visitors had Dewald Brevis (24*) and Sibonelo Makhanya (4*) at the crease.

The first day of action at St George's Park belonged to the bowlers.

A total of 13 wickets fell in the day's play before bad light stopped the action. Dala turned up for the visitors in style as he bagged his eighth five-wicket haul.

The pacer did not feature in the Titans' two matches of the season. They brought him in when they went up against the Knights.

Against the Knights, the 34-year-old conceded runs at a reasonable rate, however, he went wicketless.

DALA'S RADAR ON TARGET

Dala got his radar locked in on the target against the Warriors as he took five wickets for 27 runs in 10.3 overs in his second first-class outing of the season.

Dala ran through the Warriors' batting lineup, claiming three wickets in the morning session and another two in the post-lunch period.

The pacer was supported by Merrick Brett, who earned his maiden first-class four-wicket haul.

The 23-year-old was Dala's strike partner in the morning session, also bagging three wickets.

After lunch, he took a single wicket to complete his four-wicket haul.

Brett finished the innings with four wickets for 27 in 12 overs. Dayyaan Galiem took the remaining wicket in the innings.

BOWLERS KEEP WARRIORS IN THE CONTEST

Jordan Hermann and Diego Rosier gave the home side a platform to build from.

They shared a 78-run opening stand. This is the third time the Warriors had a partnership worth more than 50 runs this season.

Hermann scored a 47-ball 39 and Rosier added 34 from 57. Senuran Muthusamy was the other batter to reach the 30-run mark. The all-rounder made 33 off 67.

Alfred Mothoa, Beyers Swanepoel and Duanne Olivier kept the Warriors in the contest by taking a wicket each in the final session.

Their three wickets pegged the Titans back and prevented them from running away with the game.

Mothoa took a single wicket for five runs in four overs, Swanepoel bagged 1-16 in seven overs and Olivier finished the day with1-32 in seven overs.

Neil Brand top-scored for the Titans with an even-paced 30 from 61 balls.

Brand shared a 41-run third-wicket partnership with Dewald Brevis that stabilised the visitors' innings after a shaky start.

The 20-year-old had been content to play a watchful innings while Brand took control, however, he smoothly transitioned into the senior partner role after Brand's dismissal.

WARRIORS: Jordan Hermann, Diego Rosier, Jean du Plessis, Matthew de Villiers, Sinethemba Qeshile (wk), Senuran Muthusamy (capt), Patrick Kruger, Beyers Swanepoel, Duanne Olivier, Alfred Mothoa, Siya Plaatjie.

TITANS: Neil Brand (capt), Joshua van Heerden, Keegan Petersen, Dewald Brevis, Sibz Makhanya, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Rivaldo Moonsamy (wk), Dayyaan Galiem, Merrick Brett, Junior Dala, Tsepo Ndwandwa.