Onerahi Central's new recruit Craig Coffey scored 140 not out, forming an 86-run partnership with City's Ian Page (36), who was next best with the bat.
Although it was an encouraging start to the District Association Second XI competition, which Northland has won for the last two seasons, coach Stephen Knox said his troops could have had Counties out earlier, after claiming early wickets.
"We had them at 95 for six and had a good chance to bowl them all out, but their lower order batted well. The boys were reasonably happy with the effort. It was a comprehensive win," Knox said.
The development side next line up against Waikato Valley at Whangarei's Cobham Oval on November 20.
Knox is a professional player-coach, who runs a coaching business in Edinburgh. The 37-year-old Englishman spent a season playing for Northland in 2006-07, following several Northern Hemisphere winters playing and coaching at St Albans Club in Christchurch, where he met Northland coach Stephen Cunis.
"I was desperate to play more cricket this year as the summer in Scotland was awful ... Stephen [Cunis] and I were at St Albans together and became good mates, and I got talking to him recently. He spoke with Gary Bell, which is how I ended back here in Northland," he said.
Knox is delighted to be back in Northland, coaching the development team and lining up for Kamo as club professional.
"Kamo have struggled over the last few seasons but it's a good young side who I think just need a bit of experience, as well as some belief in themselves."
Knox has also been named to play for Northland's First XI side, to contest the Brian Dunning Tournament in Taupo this weekend.
Captained by John Child, the team is: C Andrews, C Coffey, K Forde, B Hyde, B Kneebone (keeper), S Knox, C McGoldrick, I Page, C Page, R Smith, M Taylor.
