Boland were on 217 for two at the close of play after the first day of the four day Supersport Series match after bowling Free State out for 102 runs earlier in the day on Friday. They have a first innings lead of 115-runs.

Boland won the toss and elected to bowl, which proved to be the correct decision as Free State were reeling at 31 for three. Right-arm seamer Charl Langeveldt took five for 19 in 11 overs - his first five-wicket haul in first class cricket.

Medium pace seamer Brad Player backed him up with three for 11 in six overs as Free State slumped from 89 for four to 102 all out - six wickets fell for just 13 runs.

Boland's Pieter Barnard and James Henderson proved that the pitch had few demons as they poured on the misery. Barnard ended the day unbeaten on 108, his ninth first class century and Henderson scored a more sedate 76.

The two put on 171-runs for the second wicket - a Boland record - which left their side in a commanding position to claim the win. For their efforts Boland gained four bonus points while Free State earned none.

Barnard started brightly, moving to his 50 off just 64 balls. His century was reached with a smashing straight drive off left-arm spinner Kosie Venter. It took 165 balls and included 11 boundaries.

Henderson was caught at slip by Louis Wilkinson off Venter just as he started to accelerate the pace having paced himself steadily. His fifty was reached in 208 minutes off 147 balls with six fours.

Free State were the victims of their own poor form as they played loose shots. Eight of the ten wickets were caught behind square on a pitch that bad little life and even less lateral movement. Only Morne van Wyk offered any resistance, scoring 39 before edging one to Louis Koen at slip off Player.

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