THE Cape Cobras trounced the Knights yesterday by an innings and 54 runs in their SuperSport Series clash at the De Beers Diamond Oval in Kimberley.
The previously undefeated Knights were rolled over for 218 on the first day, before they were put to the sword by man-of-the-match Dane Vilas (187) and Robin Peterson (97), who notched a South African record for the eighth wicket with their stand of 257 on day two.
That broke the back of the Knights, who started the second innings a mammoth 214 runs behind.
The throttling work of opening bowlers Rory Kleinveldt (2/40) and Johann Louw (2/42) allowed skipper Justin Kemp to clean up with stunning figures of 5/31 in 17 overs.
Obus Pienaar, with 39 off 85 balls, was the only Knights batsman to offerresistance as they reached 75/3 at lunch.
Rillee Rossouw (24) and Boeta Dippenaar (19) hung around but were accounted for by the combination of Vilas and Kemp's bowling. Skipper Morne van Wyk was then caught by Peterson, again off Kemp, leaving his side on 104/5.
Johan van der Wath (16), Shadley van Schalkwyk (18) and Quinton Friend (15) briefly held up the Cobras, but Kleinveldt castled Friend and the Knights were wrapped up for 160.
Meanwhile, the Warriors, 155/6 at stumps yesterday, are chasing 301 runs for victory with only four wickets in hand against the Titans at Willowmore Park.
Henry Davids's ninth first-class ton set the tone for the Titans blitzkrieg of a second innings as they rattled up 326 in just 61.1 overs before declaring.
They then claimed three wickets in three-and-a-half overs before the tea interval, Marchant de Lange nabbing two.
Colin Ingram was dismissed by Heino Kuhn off the bowling of Albie Morkel for 25.
Kelly Smuts got four and Wayne Parnell six. JJ Smuts was the only batsman to resist, with 89 off 108 balls.
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