A gritty batting performance from Free State helped them take a narrow advantage over log-leaders Western Province by stumps on day two of this Supersport Series Super Eight match at Newlands on Friday.

The added bonus to their 26-run first innings lead was the wicket of in-form Province opener Graeme Smith, well caught by Gerald Brophy behind the stumps after getting a thin edge to a good delivery from a pumped up Dewald Pretorius. Province closed on 18-1 and need a good day in the middle tomorrow if they are to assure themselves a home final with the points they get from this match.

At the heart of the positives for the visitors was a methodical 86 from number three Kosie Venter, who gave not a trace of a chance before he was caught flashing at a wideish one from Renier Munnik to be caught at first slip by Neil Johnson.

Venter's knock was the thread which ran through the Free State top-order, but great credit must go to Johan van der Wath (49 before being last man out, run out) and Brophy (36). Their seventh wicket stand of 70 took Free State into a lead which while not substantial, could still prove crucial in the context of the game.

On a day for making things happen, Neil Johnson tried just about everything. After opening the bowling on Thursday bowling medium pacers, he switched to off-spin on day two but with very little effect. His switch back to a full run-up brought immediate rewards, as he took the wickets of both Rashied Lewis and Victor Mpitsang to help wrap up the tail.

It has been a very well contested game, and both captains have shown imagination in seeking new strategies to haul in the opposition when they have looked to be gaining a stranglehold on the match. On Friday, each time Free State threatened to build a really large partnership, the Province bowlers chipped in with a vital wicket.

© MWP