Chevrolet Warriors speedsters Aya Gqamane and Andrew Birch took three wickets apiece yesterday in holding the Highveld Lions to 275 for 7 at stumps on day one of their Sunfoil Series match at the Wanderers.
Lions captain Stephen Cook made 95 and the veteran Neil McKenzie 50.
Warriors captain Davy Jacobs was full of praise for Birchie and for King Williams Town born Gqamane - on another stellar effort.
Looking ahead to today, Jacobs is hoping to nip out the Lions tail quickly and says a big first innings score will be key to the final outcome.
The Warriors are currently second on the Sunfoil Series log to the Cobras.
In Cape Town, the log leading Cape Cobras bowled out the Titans for 192.
At stumps, the Cobras were 132 without loss in reply with Alistair Grey on 68 and Andrew Puttick on 60.
Of concern for the Cobras, and South Africa, is that Protea speedster Vernon Philander injured his left hamstring after a five over spell and will play no further part in the match.
MRI scans revealed that he suffered a Grade 1 strain to his left hamstring - which normally means a 10 to 14-day recovery period - putting him in a race against time to be ready for the Protea's new year's test against New Zealand in Cape Town.
In Bloemfontein, the Knights dismissed the Dolphins for 221. In reply, the hosts were 54 for two at the close.
