Western Province move into strong position

Western Province took firm control of their four-day Supersport Series match against Border in East London on Saturday reducing their hosts to 182 for seven, needing a further 18 runs to avoid the follow-on.

Earlier, Western Province resumed their first innings on 286 for five and declared half an hour before lunch with the score on 350 for nine.

Ashwell Prince and Alan Dawson came out in the morning, but Dawson was soon on his way back to the pavilion when he edged the second ball of the day - a quick Vasbert Drakes delivery - to Wayne Wiblin at second slip without adding to his overnight score of 14.

Thami Tsolekile was trapped leg before by Tyron Henderson and Claude Henderson aided Prince in a 39-run stand for the seventh wicket. Henderson was caught behind by Mitchell of left-arm seamer Lance Graham for 14 and Paul Adams fell to the same bowler for seven. Captain HD Ackerman decided not to dally and declared rather than expose number 11 Charl Willoughby to danger.

Border openers Craig Sugden and Dumisa Makalima scored 16 and 18 respectively and were dismissed in identical fashion as they bat-padded catches to Graeme Smith at silly point off of Claude Henderson's slow left-arm spin.

Steven Pope departed for just seven which left the Border on 43 for three but Pieter Strydom and Wiblin were able to put on 47 for the fourth wicket. Strydom was his usual exciting self and scored 32 rapidly while Wiblin held up his end.

Strydom became the first of Paul Adams' three victims edging one to Tsolekile behind the stumps. Adams struck again soon after as Laden Gamiet skied a ball to Neil Johnson at mid-on who made a running catch.

Ian Mitchell came to the crease and watched as Wiblin went to his fifty and then promptly went out with his score on 51. He was caught behind by Tsolekile off Willoughby. Drakes then played all around an Adams delivery and headed back to the pavilion for one.

Mitchell and Geoff Love saw the hosts through to the close with a 39-run partnership. The match resumes on Sunday.