Ramela, Puttick provide respite

Warriors 525/7 (Ackermann 146, Price 99, Seyibokwe 69, Van Zyl 2/33) Cape Cobras 94/0 (Ramela 55*, Puttick 35*) THE CAPE COBRAS still have a long way to go to achieving the first objective, which must be to avoid the follow- on.

But they have at least shown there is still some pride left in their performance.

After conceding a record 525/ 7 – the Warriors’ highest total in first- class cricket against the Cobras – the home side could easily have capitulated under the scoreboard pressure at Newlands.

Considering the lack of form the Cobras batsmen were in, the total would have seemed as large as Table Mountain.

But credit must go to opening pair Omphile Ramela, pictured, and Andrew Puttick for the way they stuck to their task in the final session.

Having learnt from the Warriors that application at the crease was necessary to score heavily on a friendly surface, the duo played with good discipline.

It may have seemed laborious at times, with Puttick’s strike- rate only touching 23.48, but it was a necessary evil. Subdue and penetrate was the way to go with Ramela providing the odd moment of excitement.

This knock is particularly important for the Cobras skipper. With all the off- field drama between senior players and coach Paul Adams, the former Sunfoil Series champions needed Ramela to lead the way on it.

It was imperative that one of the senior players took on the mantle, and his unbeaten half- century will go a long way in easing the burden.

He will know, though, that the task is not even half- done. Ramela will have to match or better in- form Warriors No 3 Colin Ackermann’s career- best 146 earlier yesterday.

Although the former South Africa Under- 19 batsman only added 30 runs to his overnight 116, it was sufficient to set the platform for Somila Seyibokwe 69 ( 137 balls, 10 fours) and later Clyde Fortuin ( 43 off 53 balls), Simon Harmer ( 21 not out off 31 balls) and Andrew Birch ( 21 off 21 balls) to drive home the visitors’ advantage.