Simon Harmer put the Dolphins into a spin but the Warriors wobbled on day one of the Sunfoil Series in Port Elizabeth.
The off-spinner took 6-47 in 22 overs, helping to haul in the floundering Dolphins for 145. He was most ably assisted by Anrich Nortje, who ended with 3-42, cracking the openers after the Dolphins had won the toss and elected to bat.
The Warriors, though, were in an uneasy position of 100-4 at the close, needing a big total to impose themselves. Yaseen Vallie (29) and Lesiba Ngoepe (14) had put on 37 by the close as they attempt to rebuild the innings.
Earlier, however, the Warriors bowlers did not concede a run in the opening three overs, when Nortje dismissed Sarel Erwee. He followed that up seven overs later by trapping Morne van Wyk (18).
Up stepped Harmer to wreck the middle order, starting with a sharp stumping of Vaughn van Jaarsveld, who looked settled on 40 off 64 balls, and two balls later catching Sibonelo Makhanya in front.
Thereafter it was an unstoppable slide with only Senuren Muthusamy holding out for 40, until he became Nortje’s third victim.
But, in reply, the Warriors fell from 40-1 to 40-3 in two overs after Edward Moore (21) and Colin Ackermann (9) looked to rebuild after the loss of Matthew Breetzke (4). Gihahn Cloete (14) followed soon after, leaving Vallie and Ngoepe to start again.
The Warriors need to nail this one for they are one of the only two teams – the other being the Titans – to have won a game in this series. Every victory is vital.
Photo: Michael Sheehan/Gallo Images
