Northerns made the most of winning the toss and amassed 308-3 on day one of this Supersport Series Super Eight encounter against Eastern Province at St George's Park on Thursday.

It was never spectacular, but Northerns applied themselves commendably to emerge well in control of the game.

They could also have driven the final stake through the heart of any EP hopes of competing in the Supersport Series final. Already adrift in fifth place, the big win in this game already looks an impossibility.

Northerns captain Martin van Jaarsveld had little hesitation in choosing to bat when he called correctly in the morning. His team may have been the visitors, but it is common knowledge in Port Elizabeth that when the wind blows out of the west, it dries the pitch out and tends to favour the batting side. And so it proved.

Van Jaarsveld cashed in more than anyone, though he will be bitterly disappointed at falling in the nineties, playing down the wrong line to one that kept a little low from Robin Peterson to bowl him.

Either side of the captain's knock, two other Northerns batsmen helped themselves to half-centuries. Opener Johan Myburgh (68) took a while to find his feet, but played some attractive strokes as his confidence and timing arrived. Rudy Steyn will resume tomorrow unbeaten on 57 alongside Dirkie de Vos (40 not out).

Not even the return of Meyrick Pringle could stem the tide of Northerns runs. Pringle moved the ball around appreciably but seemed fated not to find the edge - in fact, the fielders were blameless as wicket-keeper Wayne Murray took the only chance offered all day.

© MWP