Cape Town - Imraan Khan and Sarel Erwee both struck half-centuries to help the Dolphins end the opening day of their Sunfoil Series clash against the Warriors with the advantage in East London on Thursday.
The pair shared in an excellent 142-run opening stand to lay a firm foundation for their side at Buffalo Park.
Khan was disappointingly out just 10 short of his century when he fell just after tea for 90 (202 balls, 11 fours, 1 six), while Erwee had fallen after lunch for 57 (129 balls, 10 fours).
Medium-pacer Jerry Nqolo, the best bowler for the home side with 2/25, accounted for Khan, while Erwee was one of two wickets to fall to the spin of Simon Harmer, who bagged 2/47.
Following the dismissal of the pair, along with the fall of Khaya Zondo (16) and Vaughn van Jaarsveld (46), Morne van Wyk and Daryn Smit dug in till the close.
The captain was not out on 45 and wicketkeeper Smit still there with 12 – the pair sharing a 56-run fifth wicket stand – as the KwaZulu-Natal side ended strongly.