Three wickets by offspinner Geoff Love late on Thursday put Border in a healthy position after the first day of a vital Super Eight encounter against one of the two sides still in a position to prevent them reaching a third successive Supersport Series final.

Love knocked over Louis Koen, Jonathan Trott and Henry Davids, taking three for 18 in 14 overs, to reduce the visitors to 87 for five by the close, in reply to Border's 192.

The last man who could seemingly make a difference between a first innings lead and a substantial deficit, Justin Ontong, was unbeaten on 29 overnight, although Boland don't have too much batting to come.

After the Winelanders had put the home side in to bat at Buffalo Park, which has seen its fair share of rain in the build-up to the encounter, national discard Henry Williams struck with telling effect, removing Craig Sugden before a run had been scored and not conceding a run in his first four overs, en route to a final analysis of five for 38.

Andrew Pringle also weighed in with four for 49, although it was left-armer Neil Carter, who went for 31 in his first four overs, who struck possibly the most telling blow, removing Border skipper Pieter Strydom for the home side's top score of 55, made off just 81 balls, with 10 fours.

Twenty-three each from Vasbert Drakes and last man out Dumisa Makalima helped carry Border past the 150 needed for a lone batting bonus point, though they fell short of a second. All in all, though, the home side will be confident of a first innings lead if their bowlers get it right early on Friday.

© MWP