Rory Kleinveldt and Jason Smith struck with bat and ball as the Cape Cobras fought back well during the second half of day one of their latest 4-Day Domestic Series assignment against the Warriors in Cape Town on Monday.
The pair shared a crucial 75-run stand that rescued the log leaders from a limp 132 for seven to post 239 all out at PPC Newlands.
The pair then nabbed a wicket apiece as the visitors were pegged back to 60 for three by stumps on a busy opening day.
It was a crucial display in both disciplines by the pair, with Smith the architect through his holding 74 (115 balls, 12 fours).
Before that the home side, who are seeking a victory that will take them even closer to the four-day title, wilted under the pressure of a strong bowling display by the Warriors.
The Eastern Cape side won the toss and three wickets apiece by Basheer Walters (3/51) and Glenton Stuurman (3/88) jolted the Cobras badly.
They were seven down by the 49th over with only David Bedingham (43) and Kyle Verreynne (31) making any significant impact.
It was then left to Smith and Kleinveldt, who blasted 42 off 44 balls, to provide some sort of meaningful total.
There were also two wickets from Simon Harmer (2/32) and Lutho Sipamla (2/57) as the Warriors completed a good day with the ball.
However, some of that work was undone when Lizaad Williams (1/21) and Kleinveldt (1/14) got rid of in-form openers Eddie Moore (10) and Gihahn Cloete (7) respectively, leaving the away side on 18 for two.
Smith (1/9) then got Yaseen Vallie (20) to dent the Warriors further, with Colin Ackermann (17) and Jon-Jon Smuts (5) taking their side to stumps – 179 runs behind.