Cricket: Green top to glory

A determined Onerahi-Central claimed their second major title of the Northland club cricket season by beating Maungakaramea side by 62 runs in the Lion Red One Day final.

With many at the ground shaking their heads after captain Bradley Kneebone decided to bat on a lively green surface at Cobham Oval, OC put their heads down and applied themselves to graft out a memorable win.

They compiled 165 in difficult batting conditions in 48 of their allotted 50 overs and despite the batting conditions improving slightly, bowled Maungakaramea out for 103 in the 39th over of their innings.

Kneebone said he was nervous about batting first, probably more so when he was the first to perish in their innings for just one run, but felt it was the right call to make.

"It was a tough choice because the deck was pretty green and wet but we've been better setting a score all year, so I thought we'd better get in there and get some runs on the board," he said.

An invaluable 46 by Henry Cooper anchored the innings with extras the next best scorer as the ball seamed about wildly, but there were some doubts that 165 would be enough to claim the title.

"A few of us had our doubts that we'd scored enough runs but the boys bowled and fielded out of their skins so I couldn't ask for much more than that," Kneebone said.

Dwayne Bowden, Todd Beehre and Tom Herman all contributed 18, while Cody Andrews took 3/27 for Maungakaramea with Kurt Watson and Mike Harris also taking two wickets apiece.

While OC's bowling standout Bowden cleaned up the tail and finish with five wickets, it was a spell between Adam Sylva and Gareth Blithe that pushed the Maungakaramea innings the rocks. The pair got through 20 overs bowling in tandem taking three wickets between them - including the prize wicket of Neal Parlane for 16.

The OC skipper gave credit to the bowlers for adding to their Two Day Championship win last weekend.

"Both Adam and Gareth have been consistent performers for us all year but Dwayne's been a special player for us and I hope we get him back next year," Kneebone said.

David Croucher top scored for Maungakaramea with 23 but just as he began to give his side hope he became Bowden's second victim as the ex-Wellington player finished with five wickets for just seven runs from his six overs.

The win gives OC the undoubted "top dog" status for club cricket this season.