Western Province had the worst of the opening day of the UCB Bowl 4-day final at Newlands.

They were dismissed for a paltry 165 after being sent in to bat on a pitch with a distinct green tinge, and by close of play Northerns had closed to within 86 of this total with nine wickets in hand.

Even this total represented a recovery of sorts for the home batsmen, who had been reeling on 8 for 3 within the first half-hour of play. Friedel de Wet dismissed recent senior players Rashaad Magiet and Jonathan McLean for ducks, while JP Duminy threw his wicket away with the silliest of run out's, a bemused Finlay Brooker hardly breaking into a trot as he sauntered in from mid off to whip off the bails.

Ryan Maron played a gritty innings of 34 before being bowled, and Wesley Euley picked off 8 fours in his innings of 51, the only half century of the day. Mark de Stadler batted aggressively for his unbeaten 26, mustering enough support from the tail to take the total to an almost respectable score. Friedel de Wet was the best of the bowlers, taking 4 for 35.

Coming in to bat after a delayed tea interval, Aldin Smith and Maurice Aronstam made slow but steady progress, putting on 58 for the opening wicket in 20 overs before Smith perished cutting at Paul Harris. Aronstam and Allahudien Paleker played safely until close of play, which came when the umpires took the players off for bad light with just over four overs to be bowled . All of the home bowlers, except Ryan ten Doeschate, were economical, going for less than two runs per over. Harris was particularly impressive with figures of 10-6-9-1. The score at stumps was 79 for 1, with Aronstam on 41.

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