Grant Roelofsen’s eighth career century engineered a fine Dolphins fightback as they closed the third day of their 4-Day Domestic Series clash with the Cape Cobras on top in Oudtshoorn on Wednesday.

The right-hander was unbeaten on 139 (195 balls, 17 fours, 3 sixes) at the close, having brought his side back from nearly dead to hold a 199-run lead heading into the final day at the Recreational Ground.

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The visitors reached the close on 280-6 despite earlier conceding an 81-run first-innings lead.

They looked out of the game at that stage, especially considering the poor 174 first-innings showing but demonstrated another side to them thanks to the fight from Roelofsen.

He was ably supported by captain Marques Ackerman (69 off 53 balls; 12 fours, 1 six), while Proteas all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy chipped in with 33.

The pick of the bowlers with four wickets still standing was George Linde with 3-84.

Earlier Kerwin Mungroo (3-17), Muthusamy (3-92) and Prenelan Subrayen (3-73) shared nine wickets as the Cobras lost their last four wickets for one run.

They were 254-6 overnight and ended with 255 as the late collapse injected a whole new energy into the Dolphins that Roelofsen fully capitalised on.

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