Boland and Free State’s four-day Supersport Series cricket match was delicately poised at the close of play on day three at Goodyear Park in Bloemfontein on Sunday.
Boland lead by 205 runs after ending the the day on 227 for eight in their second.
Earlier they had dismissed the home side for 266 and by tea were 139 for four and looking to get some quick runs to force a positive result.
However, three overs after the break, off-spinner Kosie Venter struck for the third time in the innings when he had Con de Lange caught by Victor Mpitsang for just eight.
De Lange’s demise reduced the visitors to 145/5, a lead of only 123 with five second-innings wickets standing.
Graeme Marais then joined Magiet, who appeared to be concentrating almost exclusively on defence. The partnership had moved to 24 at a sluggish rate of less than two runs to the over before Magiet was bowled by Cliff Deacon.
Magiet’s demise saw the Bolanders slip to 169/6 and brought newcomer Matthew Friedlander to the centre.
Marais and Friedlander then had to deal with a fired-up Allan Donald who persisted with short-pitched bowling to the youngsters. They managed to survive the onslaught before Venter had Marais caught by Rayno Arendse for 24.
Friedlander was then joined by Ryan Groeneveld, who did not last long before he became Venter’s fifth victim. The veteran all-rounder trapped Groeneveld lbw for five to see the visitors reeling at 213/8, only 191 ahead.
At stumps, Friedlander was unbeaten on 31 while new batsman Wallace Albertyn had four. — Sapa