Northland premier grade cricket got 2009 started with a bang and a whimper on Saturday, with City players scoring runs at will in their match against Kamo but Maungakaramea surprising everyone by defaulting their match against Kaipara.
Maungakaramea reportedly could muster only three players for the trip down to Kaipara, with
most of their players still on holiday, injured or otherwise engaged.
The default could be costly and severely limit their chances of winning the inaugural Northland overall club title for the season.
Perhaps Maungakaramea might have taken a leaf out of City's book, as they needed only four batsmen to amass an impressive first innings total of 309/2 declared.
Joe Yovich showed off his current form with the bat to smash 140 not out and Mark Tulloch wasn't too far behind with 128 not out.
After spending most of the day in the field, Kamo went into bat toward the end of the day and were quickly in trouble, ending the day at 90/4.
Their chances in the match now rely on Terry Duffin (42 not out) and Boris Jurlina (2 not out) posting a significant partnership to get them past the follow-on.
The other match between Whangarei Boys' High School and Onerahi Central ended in advantage to the students.
Onerahi were bowled out for just 98, in just 33 overs, with Vishan Harypursat taking five for 13 in a great spell of bowling at the lower order.
He had 2/12 before claiming a rare hat-trick to complete his wicket haul.
Ben Hyde (52), Rory Darkins (45), Todd Beehre (36) and Stephen John (40) were the main contributors as High School then reached 175 all out in 62 overs, with Ross Kneebone taking 4/53 and Greg Strydom 3/68.
Onerahi were in a spot of bother at 4/43 at stumps after Rory Darkins had dismissed his elder brother Harry, the main contributor in the first innings, for the second time in the day in the final over.
