The Auckland Aces were brought down to earth with a jolt at the Champions League Twenty20 after their first loss of the tournament, by 59 runs.

The Aces, who had beaten defending Indian Premier League champions Kolkata Knight Riders in their previous match, had no answer to South Africa’s Titans in Durban after being set 173 to win.

The New Zealand side slumped to 3-37 in the sixth over with star player Azhar Mahmood removed early.

They slumped to 9-68 before some lusty late blows from Andre Adams, who top-scored with 30, lifted them to 113 when he departed with 11 balls left.

Crafty opening bowler Alfonso Thomas proved a real thorn in the Aces’ side, claiming 3-18 from 3.1 overs, while his new-ball partner Ethy Mbhalati took 3-26.

Earlier, Titans opening batsmen Henry Davids and Jacques Rudolph put on 74 for the first wicket after being asked to bat first.

Davids went for 36, but Rudolph continued to prosper, making 63 from 56 balls before being removed with 15 balls remaining.

Farhaan Behandien cracked three sixes and a four in the last two overs on his way to an unbeaten 48 to lift their score to 4-172 at the close.

The Aces, who now sit third in their group with a one win, one loss record, play the Delhi Daredevils who are second in their group on Saturday. The top two sides from each group qualify for the semi-finals.

Auckland qualified for the main draw with a six-wicket defeat of Pakistan’s Sialkot Stallions followed by an eight-wicket defeat of English county side Hampshire.