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Port Elizabeth - Nashua Cape Cobras seamer Vernon Philander took five wickets to destroy the Chevrolet Warriors and virtually seal the SuperSport Series cricket title for the Western Cape franchise at Axxes DSL St George's on Thursday.
Philander, assisted by some downright poor batting from the homeside, claimed the sixth five-wicket haul of his first-class career and finished with figures of five for 40 in 15 overs as the Warriors were rolled for 110 in their first innings - their worst effort of the season.
When bad light brought a premature end to day one at 4.45pm, the Cobras had reached 118 for three - a lead of eight runs.
And while the Cobras claimed a vital four points for bowling, their nearest rivals, the Titans, were being put to the sword by the Eagles in Centurion.
The Titans, who only claimed one bowling point on Thursday as the Eagles reached 502/3, are now 19 points behind the Cobras.
Matters will become much clearer once the Titans have batted, but with the Eagles so far ahead in the match, only a miracle will prevent the Cobras from clinching their first SuperSport Series title since Western Province won it in 2003-2004.
The Warriors, who have clinched two limited overs trophies this season, will be bitterly disappointed with their effort with the bat.
The only thing they managed to do right was to win the toss. Captain Davy Jacobs opted to bat and his team were soon in trouble when Philander nicked off Jon-Jon Smuts to the safe hands of Andrew Puttick at third slip for six.
Rory Kleinveldt then knocked over the skipper for 22 before Philander claimed another four scalps to see the Warriors collapse from 64 for two, to 110 all out. Colin Ingram top-scored with 32 before being adjudged run out by visiting Indian umpire Sudhir Asnani.
Seamer Garnett Kruger took three wickets for 34 but by then the visitors had assumed a commanding position and one that places them in a strong position to win their sixth SuperSport Series match in-a-row.
Stiaan van Zyl (50) and Henry Davids (4) will resume the innings for the Cobras on Saturday after Justin Ontong weighed-in with a well-played 44 () being bowled by Kruger.
