Warriors pick up pace in second session

HOBART, Feb 5 AAP - Western Australia dominated the rain-disrupted opening day of the Pura Cup match at Bellerive Oval today, leaving Tasmania struggling at five for 115.

After the Tigers won the toss and looked well-placed at none for 71 at tea, veteran paceman Jo Angel led a great fight back in which the Warriors captured five wickets for 44 runs in just under 18 overs.

Tasmania's opening partnership of left-hander Michael Di Venuto and captain Jamie Cox delivered a solid performance but the momentum was lost in the second session.

The Warriors took three wickets in the first half hour for the addition of only 11 runs.

First to go was Cox, caught at short leg by Chris Rogers for 34 in the first few minutes.

Just seven minutes later, Di Venuto (31) fell LBW to veteran paceman Jo Angel, who celebrated his 100th Sheffield Shield/Pura Cup match by adding another two scalps to his 402 first-class tally.

In a major blow, Scott Mason was caught by Warriors captain Justin Langer after scoring just five runs off 13 balls in 13 minutes.

In his last Pura Cup appearance at Bellerive against the Victorian Bushrangers last month, Mason scored his maiden first-class century and racked up an impressive 174 runs to help the Tigers achieve their first victory of the season.

Cox had been hoping the left-hander would deliver a similar performance today.

Next out was allrounder Ben Oliver, who fell LBW to quick Brad Williams on 11 after 33 balls and 41 minutes.

Dan Marsh was bowled by Williams for zero, beaten between bat and pad.

Facing just one delivery, which he edgily played for four, Scott Kremerskothen finished the day not out four with Michael Dighton on 17.

The day's play - totalling just 174 minutes - was frustrated by the weather.

Rain delayed the start by three-and-a-half hours and bad light stopped play at 5.43pm as rain clouds threatened.