DAY 3: Knights on the charge at Newlands

A quartet of half-centuries put the Knights firmly in control on the third day of their CSA 4-Day Series match against WSB Western Province at WSB Newlands on Sunday.

At stumps, the Knights were on 306-3.

The visitors lead Western Province by 104 runs with seven wickets in hand. They are replying to the home side's first innings total of 202.

The Knights had Isaac Dikgale (66*) at the crease at the close of play.

Jacques Snyman, Lesego Senokwane, Isaac Dikgale and Patrick Botha were in scintillating form as they batted the Knights into a position that greatly reduces the possibility of them losing the contest.

All four batters registered half-centuries to put the visitors in the driver's seat.

Western Province's bowlers toiled with scant reward on day three.

Beuran Hendricks and his attack seemed to have no answers to the Knights' top-order.

Snyman came out of the gates swinging, neutralising whatever purchase there was in the wicket in the morning session with aggressive strokeplay.

The 30-year-old raced to a 41-ball 50, his third first-class half-century of the season.

Snyman has only featured in three innings and has proven to be a consistent batter. This is his 16th first-class half-ton.

Snyman gave the visitors a solid platform with a 69-run opening stand with Senokwane.

Like Snyman, Senokwane is enjoying a good run in the four-day series.

The 27-year-old came into the match with two centuries and a half-century to his name.

He added to that tally with his second half-century of the season. This is his eighth first-class half-century. He was dismissed for a well-played 74 off 172.

CRUCIAL PARTNERSHIPS

The difference between Western Province's innings and that of the Knights' was how one substantial partnership gave way to another.

Senokwane and Isaac Dikgale followed the Snyman-Senokwane opening stand with a brilliant 105-run second-wicket stand.

Dikgale was the third Knights batter to register a half-century in the innings.

It took him 111 deliveries to get to 10th first-class half-century.

The milestone came during his partnership with Botha.

Botha did not miss out on the run-fest as he cruised to a 39th first-class half-ton that he reached in 85 balls.

Botha was dismissed after scoring a brilliant 80 off 122 balls.

Kyle Simmonds was the most successful bowler for Western Province.

The spinner took a wicket with his first delivery of the day and he took another with the final delivery of the day.

He finished with two wickets for 48 runs in 20 overs.

Jody Lawrence was Western Province's other wicket-taker in the innings with a single wicket for 47 runs in 12 overs.

WESTERN PROVINCE: Eddie Moore, Jono Bird, Oliver Whitehead, Daniel Smith, Juan James, Onke Nyaku, Mihlali Mpongwana, Kyle Simmonds, Beuran Hendricks (capt), Jody Lawrence, Mthiwekhaya Nabe.

KNIGHTS: Isaac Dikgale, Lesego Senokwane, Jacques Snyman, Tiaan van Vuuren, Dian Forrester, Dane Piedt (capt), Patrick Botha, Gihahn Cloete (wk), Malusi Siboto, Sithembile Langa, Aaron Phangiso.