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Port Elizabeth - Simon Harmer produced career best figures of eight for 60 but it was still not enough as the Warriors found themselves with a battle on their hands against the Cape Cobras in their Sunfoil Series clash at St George’s Park on Friday.
On what appeared to be a day for bowling, a massive 22 wickets fell in Port Elizabeth, including the hosts being bowled out for 129 and then reducing their Cape rivals to 116 for seven.
It was the second time the Cobras had been batting after they were out for 325 earlier in the day.
That was after adding 101 to their overnight total of 224 for five in what looked like the only sane period of batting.
Justin Ontong fell two short of a 24th first-class century when he was dismissed by Harmer for 98.
The Warriors' star bowler also accounted for Proteas' returnee Dane Piedt, but not after he struck 62 and was the second last man out.
In the end, Harmer's figures were the best analysis by a Warriors bowler since the inception of franchise cricket and the second best by either team over the years.
However, his team-mates failed to oblige with the bat and they slipped into a deep hole before lunch when they found themselves on a woeful 11 for four.
It was 18 for five not long after, but Ayabulela Gqamane's unbeaten 37 meant the deficit was 196. Rory Kleinveldt (4-41) and Piedt (4-43) claimed four wickets apiece for the Capetonians.
It was the turn of the Cobras to endure some batting misery next after they fell to 83 for seven with Sisanda Magala taking three for 23 and Basheer Walters grabbing two for 17.
Kleinveldt's (18) unbeaten partnership of 33 with Tshepo Moreki (11) meant their side was back in control by the close.
