THE tails continued to wag across the board as the eighth round of SuperSport Series matches reached the halfway stage around the country on Thursday.

The inspiration that had enabled Heino Kuhn and Ethy Mbhalati to add 96 for the Nashua Titans’ 10th wicket against the Chevrolet Warriors seemed to inspire others to follow suit.

The Diamond Eagles, who are involved in a tense bottom-of-the-log clash with the Nashua Dolphins at the De Beers Diamond Oval, had Johannes van der Wath and Ryan McLaren to thank for their substantial first innings lead of 91 runs. The pair added 105 invaluable runs for the eighth wicket to turn a likely first innings deficit into an advantage.

Van der Wath contributed 61 off 74 balls with 9 fours and 2 sixes and McLaren top score of 86 off 141 balls with 15 fours.For good measure Van der Wath struck twice with the ball to leave the Dolphins in trouble at 10/2 for an overall deficit of 81.

Much the same scenario played itself out at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium where the reliable Nashua Cape Cobras lower order built up a similar lead against the bizhub Highveld Lions. Robin Peterson has certainly established himself as the best No. 8 in the competition. He has now made scores of 70, 100 and this latest score of 75 (61 balls, 13 fours and a six) in successive first innings.

He and the rejuvenated Vernon Philander put on 79 for the eighth wicket which helped the Cobras to a first innings lead of 94.

The Lions are, however, still well in this match with Alviro Petersen and Stephen Cook having so far added 82 for the opening wicket in their second turn at bat.

Not having to bat last is normally a trump card at this ground and it looks as though the second half of this match could produce a classic north versus south battle.

The closest tussle for the first innings advantage could well be on the cards at Axxess DSL St. George’s where the Chevrolet Warriors have made a solid 268/5 in reply to the Titans’ 343 all out.

There are only 75 runs separating the two sides at the halfway stage. Jon-Jon Smuts has so far been the pick of the Warriors batsman (80 off 120 balls with 13 fours and a six).

The Titans innings only lasted a further two balls on the second day, the 10th wicket partnership between Kuhn and Embhalati thus finishing on 96 with Kuhn left stranded on his unbeaten 160.