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Port Elizabeth - The table-topping Cobras produced a consummate all-round performance to crush the Warriors by 72 runs in their Ram Slam T20 Challenge match at St George's Park on Friday.
Chasing a ground's record total of 188 for victory, the Warriors fell miserably short as they were rolled for 115 in reply to concede a bonus point win to their opponents.
The Cobras' total of 187 for three wickets was set up by openers Richard Levi (76) and Andrew Puttick (65) and was finished with lusty blows at the death from West Indian Kieron Pollard.
The Warriors, who needed a victory, to remain in contention for the playoffs, needed a fast start with the bat but found themselves deep in the mire as early as the second over when English pro Craig Kieswetter (1) and Colin Ingram (4) were both dismissed by fast bowler Dane Paterson.
Mthokozisi Shezi got in on the act in the next over bowling Jon-Jon Smuts (0) to see the Warriors reduced to seven for three.
It is a position from which they never recovered although Ryan Bailey tried admirably in scoring 35 off 30 balls.
It was offspinner Sybrand Engelbrecht who cashed in on the pressure taking four wickets for 22 runs while left-arm spinner George Linde claimed three scalps.
Earlier, the Warriors had won the toss and sent the Cobras in to bat. It was an odd decision which went against what teams winning the toss normally do at the venue.
But the Cobras openers Richard Levi and Andrew Puttick took full advantage and laid the perfect foundation with a partnership of 140.
Once Levi got a feel for the pace of the pitch he tore loose and punished the homeside bowlers.
He made that sure that kingpin spinner Simon Harmer was removed from the attack after only two overs then smashed Aya Gqamane to put another bowler to bed.
The Warriors had no answer as the stocky right-hander clubbed six sixes and five fours off only 53 balls.
He was eventually the first wicket down when he was caught by Christiaan Jonker at long-on off the bowling of Lundi Mbane.
The Warriors seamer was in the action again in his following over bowling Puttick for 65 made in 50 balls.
It was left to West Indian Kieron Pollard to push the total to well outside the Warriors' reach as he smashed 32 off 15 balls, including three sixes and a four off the last over bowled by Mbane.
