Cape Town - Andrew Puttick and Stiaan van Zyl both hit centuries on the opening day of the decisive round of the Sunfoil Series before the Cape Cobras threw away a position of dominance against the Dolphins at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead in Durban on Thursday.
The visitors closed on 298/6 but should have been far better placed had they not lost four wickets for 49 runs inside the final hour.
Before that it was all one-way traffic with Puttick and Van Zyl bossing proceedings. Veteran opener Puttick top-scored with 116 (240 balls, 10 fours, 1 six) as he compiled the 26th century of his career. Former Proteas batsman Van Zyl hit a brisk 108 (165 balls, 13 fours) for his 20th first-class ton with the pair sharing in a 160-run second-wicket stand.
There were also starts for Justin Ontong (30) and Jason Smith (25), but by then the home side had fought back into the contest by hurting the Cobras with late wickets.
Senuran Muthusamy was the pick of the bowlers with his 3/27, while debutant Attie Maposa claimed his first wickets at franchise level with 2/58.
Both sides entered the final round of matches hoping to overtake the Titans at the top of the table.