Cape Town - Simon Harmer claimed six wickets to put the Warriors in a strong position against the Dolphins after the opening day of their Sunfoil Series match at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth on Thursday.

The right-arm off break bowler took six for 47 – his 17th career five-for – as the hosts shot out the visitors for a paltry 145.

Anrich Nortje was also amongst the wickets with his three for 42 to leave the Durbanites in tatters after they had won the toss and elected to bat.

The hosts then lost four wickets in response, but they did close with 100 on the board and only trailed by 45 heading into day two.

It was yet another disappointing start to a match by the Dolphins whose coach, Grant Morgan, has bemoaned their first innings performances, something that has cost them valuable points so far this season.

This time it was the second-placed Warriors that benefited and they moved into a strong position thanks to Harmer’s excellence and the early pace of Nortje.

There were only two substantial scores by the away batsmen – Vaughn van Jaarsveld’s 40 and 41 by Senuran Muthusamy – and the visitors were dismissed in 57.2 overs.

The home side did find themselves in trouble on 63 for four. But Yaseen Vallie (29) and Lesiba Ngoepe (14) ensured there was no further damage as they closed on 100 for four.

Mthokozesi Shezi (1/6) was the best of the Dolphins bowlers.