Cricket: Boys High crushed

Maungakaramea batsman Craig Gurr ducks a bouncer on his way to 94. Photo/Michael Cunningham

A display of power hitting by Kamo's Curtis Cherrington shredded any lingering hopes Whangarei Boys' High players may have had of victory in the fifth round of Lion Red One Day Cricket Competition.

Cherrington smashed an unbeaten 81 off just 56 balls, seeing his side to a comfortable six wicket win over Zest Insurance Boys High School at the Kamo Rec. on Saturday.

Cherrington's aggressive knock backed up good work from his bowlers who made Boys High regret their decision to bat after winning the toss.

The Kamo bowlers were in fine form with Boys High on the ropes early on until a middle order recovery led by Nick Stobart gave his side a glimmer of hope. Stobart joined John Child in the middle with Boys High reeling at 38-5 and the pair put on a much-needed partnership of 56 to steady the ship.

Stobart remained unbeaten on 51 as Richard Cates wrapped up the innings with two wickets in the 45th over to finish with 3/26. Logan Choat was the other Kamo bowler to take three wickets (3/8 off 10).

When Cherrington joined his brother Jacob at the crease after opener Dylan Clark was dismissed early, he set about ending the game quickly - with six fours and five sixes in his knock. The brothers put on 90 runs before Jacob was caught by Matthew Lobb off the bowling of Child. Child took three of the four Kamo wickets to fall to finish with 3/16 as Kamo raced to victory in 25 overs.

The two other matches in the Lion Red One Day competition were also one-sided affairs with frontrunners Maungakaramea and Kaipara Flats continuing their good form in the competition despite missing a number of Northland players to representative duty.

Kaipara Flats defeated City Cricket club with another century by Joe Robbins making it an incredible four centuries from four matches. Robbins score of 146 helped Kaipara to a good total of 306/9 in their 50 overs. In reply, City were skittled for 78, with Dexter Buchanan taking five wickets for Kaipara.

Maungakaramea remain unbeaten in the competition with a comfortable 144 run win over Onerahi-Central at Kensington Park. Maungakaramea batted first with Craig Gurr top-scoring with 94 and Greg Robertson not far behind with 82 as they compiled 277/7 in their 50 overs. Tom Herman was the best of the OC bowlers with 4-40.

Michael Harris took 3/27 and Mike Lovegrove 3/28 in a good all round bowling effort as OC were dismissed for 133 in their chase.