Cricket: Kaipara in huge win over Kamo

City's Lynton Staniford's figures of 2 for 43 from his 10 overs wasn't enough to get his side over the line in their Lion Red Cup match against Maungakarame Photo/Ron Burgin

Kaipara Flats have fired a warning shot early in 2014, albeit against an eight-man Kamo side, scoring 386 in 50 overs as premier cricket returned in the form of the Lion Red Cup.

Rory Christopherson led the way for Kaipara in their domination of Kamo with an unbeaten 127, combining well with Joe Robbins (115) to put on 195 for the third wicket in Kaipara.

Kaipara coach Kevin Forde acknowledged that playing an eight-man side certainly makes the scoreboard flattering to his side, but added that they were ruthless and did not want to let their standard slip.

"I wouldn't want to read too much into that," Forde commented of their game on Saturday. "We want to make sure when we come against some other opposition we still do the same thing.

"You could look into it how you want. They had a few guys who were unavailable due to work and other things. It's unfortunate, but we were just happy to have someone to play against. We were appreciative of their efforts to turn up and play in such circumstances."

Forde added that with it being the first game back after the Christmas break it was important for his side to settle back into the swing of things.

"We really just wanted to get those eyes back into the groove, so to speak. Joe and Rory really put their hands up and made some useful contributions, scoring their first centuries for the club."

In reply Kamo could only manage 56, giving Kaipara the win by a whopping 330 runs.

For Zest Insurance Whangarei Boys' High School it wasn't quite the same high scoring affair but nevertheless they came away with the win over Onerahi Central.

After sending Onerahi into bat, William Edwards was run out by Lewis Miller and Jack Murphy early which meant Henry Cooper (102 not out) joined Brad Kneebone (30) in a second wicket partnership worth 98.

With a series of partners following, Cooper carried his bat until the end with the total at 181 for seven.

Fletcher Coutts did the damage with the ball for Boys' High, taking 2 for 38, while Nick Stobart proved hard to get away with his 10 overs costing only 19 runs. Matthew Lobb claimed 1 for 20 off his 10 overs.

In reply, Boys' High lost early wickets to be 43 for three before Sam Clotworthy (33) and Murphy (49) formed a good partnership of 79.

When the duo depart, Stobart (30 not out) and Max Davis (23 not out) finished the match off with a 55 run partnership as Boys' High claimed the win by five wickets.

With the ball, Onerahi's Adam Sylva (2/24) and Tom Herman (2/34) both picked up two wickets to be the pick of the bowlers. Travis Keep also picked up a wicket as he finished with one for 29 from four overs.

In the other Lion Red Cup match from the weekend, a Zac Khawaja century wasn't enough to help City overcome Maungakaramea.

Batting first, Maungakaramea posted 211/7, thanks to a notable contribution by Neal Parlane (41).

With the ball, Marko Annandale picked up 2 for 32 from seven overs while Lynton Staniford picked up 2 for 43 from his 10 overs.

City could only manage 171 as they were bowled all out with Khawaja's innings the only real contribution - giving Maungakaramea the win by 40 runs.Next weekend sees premier cricketers return to two-day cricket - with Maungakaramea taking on Boys' High, Onerahi facing off against Kaipara, and Kamo playing City.