Cricket: Weather the big winner

City's Ian Page hauls in a ball as Onerahi Central batsman Henry Cooper scampers to safe ground during their Oxford Trust two-day match at Kensington Park on Saturday. Photo/Ron Burgin

Kaipara Flats were denied a third straight win by the weather and Zest Insurance's Whangarei Boys' High School team in the Oxford Trust two-day competition.

Sitting top of the table with back-to-back wins, Kaipara's match against Boys' High ended in a draw as only 105 overs were completed in their two-day match.

With Kaipara winning the toss and sending Boys' High into bat last weekend, they posted 242 from 94 overs thanks to good contributions by Michael Parlane [88] and Sam Clotworthy [34]. Matt Taylor did the damage for Kaipara, who were the home side, in grabbing six wickets for 41 runs.

In response, Kaipara were only able to bat for 10 overs - reaching 26 for one.

The result means Kaipara still sit on top of the table, clear of second placed Maungakaramea by four points as the competition reaches the tail end of the season.

In the other two-day matches completed on the weekend, third-placed Kamo beat Maungakaramea thanks to a top spell of bowling by Cameron Johnson as he picked up five for 29 off 11 overs.

Batting first, Kamo posted 309 before Maungakaramea struggled their way to 112 for nine before declaring - thanks to Richie Macpherson's bowling performance [three for 14].

Kamo then added 62 to their lead before declaring to set Maungakaramea 259 to win. However, Maungakaramea struggled their way to 55 for nine at the close to give Kamo the points.

While Johnson did the main damage with his five for 29, he was supported well by Ben Hyde [two for 13], Nathan Smith [one for three], and Macpherson [one for eight].

The win was Kamo's first for the season to go with their two draws so far, however they are nine points adrift of Maungakaramea in second.

The final Oxford Trust match up saw a tight battle between and Onerahi Central and City. Winning the toss and electing to bat first, Onerahi posted 172 which was highlighted by a 58 by William Edwards and five wicket haul to Marko Annandale [five for 32].

In response, City scored 252, with credit going to the opening duo of Zac Khawaja [42] and Joseph Yovich [72], who put together a 113-run opening partnership. Useful contributions also came from Ian Page with 60 and Steve Morris with 33.

Doing the damage with the ball was Henry Cooper [four for 82 off 20 overs] and Adam Sylva [four for 22 off nine].

Next weekend is the final club cricket day before the Christmas break, and the Lion Red Cup is being contested in what will be the third round of 50-over cricket.

The Northland men's two-day match against Hamilton which was scheduled for the weekend was cancelled. The result still means Northland do not get a Hawke Cup Challenge.