With the log positions already settled, the only talking point of the match between Western Province-Boland (WP-Boland) and the Titans was likely to be the form of Herschelle Gibbs, playing his first match in five weeks.
His hopes of proving his form and fitness for the second Test were dashed as he faced just five balls, and looked uncomfortable in the field.
At least the home crowd of just less than 5 000 went home happy as WP-Boland took some consolation from a dismal limited-overs season with their only home victory of the campaign.
Gibbs stroked a sweetly timed cover drive off the second ball he faced, but was trapped in front by Alfonso Thomas in the third over.
When Andrew Puttick departed after a subdued innings, excellently caught at slip by Darryll Cullinan, the home team were on a shaky 36 for two.
Derrin Bassage and JP Duminy picked off the runs, the 50 coming with an edged boundary off the former’s bat in the 15th over.
They continued to prosper, adding 82 off 107 balls before Paul Harris defeated Bassage within sight of a second successive half-century.
Ashwell Prince made his usual watchful start, but accelerated nicely, going to his 50 off 50 balls. Duminy finished with another classy score of 85, scored off 106 balls (six fours).
He completed the century partnership off the penultimate ball of the innings. Although the stand was worth 101 off as many balls, the home batsmen must have felt they were slightly short of a winning score.
Alan Dawson made a fine start, having Alviro Petersen well taken at silly mid-off and Goolam Bodi at square leg. Charl Willoughby had no success, but conceded just a dozen runs in a seven-over opening burst as the Titans were restricted to 43 in the first 15 overs.
They lost their third wicket in the next over when Martin van Jaarsveld cut Vernon Philander’s second ball ferociously but straight at Duminy. In the same over, the required rate reached six to the over for the first time.
However, the experienced pair of Cullinan and Gerald Dros were not to be intimidated, establishing a partnership of 86 off 107 balls.
The 33rd over was a turning point.
It started with Cullinan calling for a runner. Renier Munnik’s first ball was hit for four and the over was to cost 12 runs, but both batsmen were dismissed. Runner Petersen failed to beat Prince’s direct hit from the covers, and Dros edged the next ball to the ‘keeper.
The last dangerous hitter, Albie Morkel, hit Duminy out of the ground before skying a catch in the same over.
Kruger van Wyk and Alfonso Thomas were never able to match the required run rate, but were still together as the final over started with 24 needed. Although Thomas hoisted Dawson’s last ball over midwicket for a six, the result was never really in doubt.
The bowlers all kept good control. Paul Adams was unfortunate to be given only four overs, as he was keeping both Dros and Cullinan in check even though the latter did hit him for a six early in his spell.
Duminy’s wicket completed a fine all-round performance that saw him appointed man of the match.
The competition now adjourns until February, when the Titans will face the Dolphins in the semifinals, while the Eagles play the Lions in the other. — Sapa