Ontong keeps Knights at bay

Newlands - Cape Cobras batsman Justin Ontong was the star performer with a workmanlike century on the first-day of the SuperSport Series match against the Knights at Newlands on Thursday.

Thanks largely to Ontong's fine knock the Cobras had reached 290 for five when stumps were drawn, with Ryen Canning yet to score and Justin Kemp on 14.

Ontong's century came off 158 balls, whiuch included 16 boundaries, it also saw the middle-order batsman pass the 7 000-run mark in his first-class career.

He was also involved in a consolidating fourth-wicket partnership of 131 runs with with Richard Levi.

Earlier, the Cobras won the toss and chose to bat. Openers Alistair Gray and Andrew Puttick put on 46 runs before left-arm seamer Obus Pienaar made the breakthrough claiming the w2icket of Gray.

Prior to the lunch break, paceman Ryan McLaren struck, trapping Puttick in the crease, to end the morning spell on 82 for two.

Richard Levi(64) and Ontong consolidated the hosts innings, keeping the Knights' attack at bay until the new ball became available in the post-tea session.

Paceman Victor Mpitsang undid the 131-run stand in the second over with the new ball, and Ontong departed 10 overs later when Pienaar claimed his second wicket, by which time the Cobras had reached 288 for five.

Pienaar with two for 37 and McLaren two for 44 fared the best of the visiting bowlers.