Half-tons from Colin Ackermann and Yaseen Vallie revived a shaky start to the Warriors’ first innings against the Cobras on Friday.
After day one, the Warriors were 5-1 after bowling the Cobras out for 291. Dane Paterson (3-48) and Jason Smith (1-20) knocked the Warriors down two more pegs to reduce them to 70-3 after 19 overs.
Paterson was vital to holding off the Warriors attack. He picked up his first at the end of day one, dismissing Gionne Koopman for five. He continued his form on day two taking the early wicket of Edward Moore (7) after three overs. Smith joined in, ending a 56-run partnership between Ackermann and Lesiba Ngoepe (17).
In stepped Vallie as and Ackermann put on 101 for the fourth wicket. Ackermann continued his form which saw him hit 81 in his last match against the Dolphins, making 89 off 135 ball. Vallie put an end to his bad run of form, which saw him go seven innings without a fifty, reaching his 21st half century in 58 balls.
Paterson grabbed the big one in the 44th over, dismissing Ackermann for his third of the innings. Rory Kleinveldt removed Somila Seyibokwe for a duck before bad light stopped play with the Warriors on 175-5 after 45 overs and Vallie on 56 not out. They trail the Cobras by 116 going into day three.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
