Port Elizabeth - The Cape Cobras got their Twenty20 (T20) Challenge campaign off to a flying start when they beat the Warriors by 10 runs in the opening match of the tournament at St George's Park on Wednesday.
Set 156 for victory, the Warriors could only manage 145 for seven in reply with the Cobras spin trio of Dane Piedt, Yaseen Vallie and Alastair Gray claiming five of the wickets.
The defeat was the Warriors' first in eleven T20 matches at St George's and one which they will need to bounce straight back from against the Titans in East London on Friday night.
Chasing a sizeable target, it was crucial for the Warriors to put together substantial partnerships, something which they failed to do. Kelly Smuts hammered 26 off 14 balls and Justin Kreusch (25) and Ashwell Prince (23) got in, and then got out.
Off-spinners Yaseen Vallie and Dane Piedt shared three wickets while leg-spinner Alastair Gray also grabbed two wickets.
Earlier, Stiaan van Zyl and Andrew Puttick scored half-centuries for the visitors as they posted a handy 155 for five after being sent in to bat.
TWenty-four-year-old Van Zyl was in sublime form, scoring 58 off 41 balls including four sixes and two fours as he and Puttick put on 99 for the first wicket. Puttick made 55, scored off 52 balls, including two sixes and two fours.
Makhaya Ntini was the best of the Warriors bowlers taking two for 19 in his four overs. Kelly Smuts also took two wickets. - Sapa