Cape Town - Vaughn van Jaarsveld struck his 19th first-class century as the Dolphins tightened their grip on the Warriors at the halfway stage of their 4-Day Domestic Series encounter in Durban on Tuesday.

The left-hander made 138 (209 balls, 22 fours, 1 six) to anchor the first innings of the home side, who were eventually dismissed for 335 - a healthy lead of 160.

That was then whittled down to 78 after the visitors reached 82 for one by stumps.

But the day in general belonged to the KwaZulu-Natal franchise. They resumed at the start on 64 for none with Van Jaarsveld and Sarel Erwee (44) stretching their opening stand to 110, before the latter was dismissed by Sisanda Magala (2/58).

Cody Chetty, Khaya Zondo (both 10), and Senuran Muthusamy (3) all followed in relatively quick time as the men from the Eastern Cape tried to claw their way back into the game.

Van Jaarsveld followed them after a partnership of 45 with Dane Vilas (38) for the fifth wicket with the score on 221.

However, there was another strong stand of 50 between the veteran wicketkeeper and Sibonelo Makhanya, who hit an unbeaten 54 off 83 deliveries (7 fours, 1 six) that followed leaving the home side well placed at 301 for six at one stage.

Rising young fast bowling star Lutho Sipamla then mopped up the tail in a devastating spell of four for 24 from 6.2 overs - the hosts bowled out shortly after tea.

The Warriors lost the in-form Eddie Moore early when he nicked Robbie Frylinck behind for seven, but an unbroken 58-run stand between Gihahn Cloete (43) and Colin Ackermann (32) helped them fight back until the close.