Henry Williams puts Boland in control against Northerns

Veteran Boland seamer Henry Williams made his comeback from shoulder surgery to take five for 43 in helpful bowling condition and play the major role in dismissing Northerns for 211. At the close, which came six overs early due to bad light, Boland were 18 for one in reply.

Boland captain Louis Koen won the toss and put the home side in to bat on a green, seaming pitch which was brimful of moisture as a result of the rainy spell in Gauteng. Although the Titans were 13 for two after Williams and Charl Langeveldt removed openers Rudi Steyn and Jacques Rudolph, they would have been well satisfied to go into lunch on 70 without further loss.

Boland bowled with fire after lunch and Northerns stumbled to 98 for five. Williams was the aggressor, and from the other end Bradley Player, Andrew Pringle and Langeveldt created the required pressure.

Pringle had two catches dropped, and one of them - Martin van Jaarsveld on 24 by James Henderson in the gully - proved expensive. He went on to score a classy 91 off 191 balls with 14 fours. Kruger van Wyk chipped in with a gritty 48, which included seven fours. Thanks to his gutsy performance Northerns managed to claim a valuable second batting bonus point. Boland grabbed a full house of four bonus points for their impressive display.

Elworthy immediately reaped the benefits of a bowler-friendly track when he sent opener Henry Davids back to the hut in his first over.