The Zest Insurance Whangarei Boys' High School team let a strong bowling effort against Kaipara Flats slip away late in the day on a pitch that offered some assistance to the seam bowlers.
After winning the toss and asking Kaipara to bat, Boys' High restricted Kaipara to 102 all out in 53 overs thanks to four cheap wickets to Nick Stobart.
In the field, Kaipara put early pressure on the Boys' High batsman and some soft dismissals saw the demise of many of the top seven _ with Boys' High eventually bowled out for 70.
Wickets were shared around for Kaipara but Matty Taylor was relatively unlucky not to get more than the two snared.
With only eight overs remaining in the day, Kaipara returned to the crease looking to close out the day safely but were in immediate trouble. Kaipara lost four wickets in their eight overs, with Stobart picking up the first three, to leave the match evenly poised as they head into next weekend's final day.
On a day where 24 wickets fell, Kaipara will hope the pitch works in their favour next week to build on their lead of 57 with six second innings wickets in hand.
Onerahi showed determination with the bat as they declared on 314 for 9, before leaving Maungakaramea hurting at 21 for 2 as the day's play ended.
Henry Cooper continued his stellar month _ after last week being called into the Northern Districts A team _ with the bat on the weekend, scoring an outstanding 113 for Onerahi.
Brad Kneebone continues to play gritty innings and get the numbers on the board after scoring 60 runs at the top of the order.
