North West Dragons opening batsman Matthew Kleinveldt was disappointed with himself after losing his wicket just three runs shy of a century against the Titans in their Four-Day Series match in Centurion on Thursday.
Regardless, Kleinveldt put up a superb knock against home team the Titans to give his side a solid start.
The Dragons ended day one on 252/4 after play was called off early due to poor light in the highveld.
The Dragons won the toss and went in to bat first at SuperSport Park in Centurion, but lost a couple of early wickets.
The 35-year-old tried forming partnerships with lefty Lesiba Ngoepe (27 off 53 balls) and Raynard van Tonder (33 off 46), but those eventually broke at the hands of an in-form Matthew Boast.
Van Tonder and Kleinveldt put up a 78-run partnership before Boast broke it.
Boast closed the day with the best figures for the Titans with 2/56 from 15 overs.
Wihan Lubbe arrived at the crease and signs emerged of a promising partnership forming between him and Kleinveldt.
Lubbe thrashed his way to a swift half century, laden with 11 fours and just six singles.
Lubbe upped the run rate for the Dragons and put pressure on the Titans bowlers with his free hands.
On the opposite end, Kleinveldt approached his century, but looked a bit shaky as he entered the “nervous nineties”.
Desperate to swing momentum back into their favour, the Titans regrouped and came out after a short break with a new sense of purpose.
The 35-year-old Kleinveldt tried sweeping a Neil Brand delivery, but was unfortunately caught by wicket-keeper Rivaldo Moonsamy.
Kleinveldt dropped his shoulders in disbelief as he walked off the field, while Lubbe tried his best to console him.
Brand and Junior Dala were the only other wicket-takers for the Titans, picking a wicket a piece, closing day one on a decent note having removed Kleinveldt from the stumps.
Lubbe and Ruan de Swardt will pick up at at 252/4 for the Dragons on Friday morning.