Pietermaritzburg - Justin Kemp scored 143 as he led the Cobras to 597 all out in their first innings on day two of their Sunfoil series match against the Dolphins in Pietermaritzburg, on Friday.
In reply, the Dolphins were left reeling at 204/7 with Beuran Hendricks the chief destroyer returning figures of 4-33 from his 13 overs.
At stumps, Khaya Zondo was unbeaten on 90 for the hosts.
The match progressed significantly on day two with 361 runs scored and 13 wickets taken in just 73.3 overs.
Although Justin Ontong was trapped lbw for 166 by Daryn Smit, Kemp and his remaining partners helped the Cobras add 157 in 29.3 overs during the morning session before their assault was finally ended by Smit, who took five wickets on the day to record figures of 5-75.
Fellow spinner Keshav Maharaj took more punishment, and finished with figures of 4-168 from 34 overs.
The Dolphins' troubles worsened when they finally arrived at the crease, with Hendricks striking three times in the opening 15 overs.
Paterson (3-58) then broke a stand of 53 between Zondo and Morne van Wyk, and crushed another growing partnership between Zondo and Smit (23).
In spite of his team-mates' troubles, Zondo continued to score at close to a run a ball, and found aggressive support from Maharaj, whose 28 not out from 22 balls was the second highest score for the hosts.