After the first session of play was lost to rain South captain Nathan Philip decided to bat first after winning the toss and would have rued that decision as the Knight’s batting line up collapsed to be all out for 68 in 36 overs as the ball dominated bat in damp conditions.

Alec Smith top scored with 34 off 78 balls and batted patiently for 106 minutes as wickets tumbled around him and Charlie Eastoe made 13.

Howe picked up the outstanding figures of 6-8, off 8.2 overs with four maidens and had good support as all the Shamrocks attack bowled tightly and kept the pressure on the South batsmen.

Jonathan Chapman bowled 13 overs and took 1-21, his opening partner Justin Curbishley took 2-26 off 10 and Joey Cullen 1-5, off three.

Westbury needs to beat the Knights outright to claim back-to-back flags and was 3-33 at stumps in reply after facing 15 overs before stumps with captain Dane Anderson not out four and Michael Lukic not out on nought.

"It was obviously a good day for us but a bit of a strange day because the wicket looked really good, " Westbury captain Dane Anderson said.

"After losing the first session with a bit of rain about when we started playing the wicket was probably a bit damper underneath than we expected.

‘‘We did well to restrict them and we held all our chances which was good and it was a brilliant effort by our bowlers who stuck to their task and were rewarded.’’

Anderson said he was probably going to bat first too if he had won the toss and it turned out to be a good toss to lose.

‘‘We were pretty happy to have a bowl and there was a bit of pressure on the batting group in the first session on the first day.

‘‘The wicket looked a lot flatter than it was and I think it will be pretty flat over the next two days so it probably was a good time to bowl in hindsight.’’

While happy with their start Anderson said it was only the first day and they needed to bat well and for as long as possible on day two.