The Lions added 75 runs to their overnight score, and lost the wickets of Rassie van der Dussen and Mangaliso Mosehle, before bad weather stopped their Sunfoil Series encounter with the Dolphins in Maritzburg.
That left the visitors on 277 for seven, but the prospect of a result is almost out the window already, given that an innings is yet to be completed. It brings up a perennial argument about Dolphins having four-day fixtures at home, in the early stages of the season.
Last week, against the Knights, they lost over a day to bad light and rain, and the damage looks set to be a lot more significant in Maritzburg. Of the play that did occur, young Wiaan Mulder added a second half-century to his ton last week, as he continued to show the form that has national selectors keeping an eye on him.
He walked off the pitch on a watchful 70 not out, while Van der Dussen had been caught at leg-slip off Calvin Savage for 75. Mosehle, who has made his name in T20 cricket, lasted six balls of patience before he slapped Savage to Robbie Frylinck at mid-on, to depart for a strange duck.
The umpires called off the players for bad light, 25 minutes before lunch, and the rain started soon after, growing heavier as the day wore on. Stumps were called before 2pm and, ironically, the sun then made a return at about 3pm, with the field drenched and the venue deserted.
Scores in brief:
Lions 277/7 (H van der Dussen 75, W Mulder, 70 not out, M Shezi 2/24, C Savage 2/35)