Howe throws WBHS off target

A smart runout by BJ Howe ended Whangarei Boys' High School's innings just two runs short of victory at Kensington Park in the Mark Cromie Holden Premier One-Day competition.
The Onerahi-Central leg-spinner's throw capped off a good day for Howe after he was responsible for ripping the heart out of the WBHS chase, taking three wickets in the middle order, after Brad Kneebone (28) and Aiden Miller (18) had weathered the early storm to set-up a realistic chance of chasing down Onerahi's total of 153.
His 3/37 would have been all for nothing, however, if his throw from mid-wicket hadn't stopped the 10th-wicket partnership between top-scorer Kashmir Harypursat (44 not out) and No10 David Armitt.
Armitt had joined Harypursat at the wicket with 18 runs still required to win and had taken a series of quick singles to edge nearer victory.
When Harypursat smacked a shot to mid-wicket, Howe fielded the ball and spotted Armitt backing up at the non-striker's end after being sent back, throwing the stumps down to end the game.
It was tough luck for the students - severely weakened without Northland representatives Ben Williams, Ben Hyde and Henry Cooper - but an encouraging win for Onerahi-Central that now sees them on top of the competition table after the second round with two wins.
Craig Russell (31), batting at first drop, and Josh Matthews (35) had top-scored for Onerahi and given them a chance of victory, while Tom Herman, Ben Smith and Armitt had all picked up two wickets in the Onerahi innings.
Maungakaramea had a welcome return to form with a 184-run victory over Kamo at the Maungakaramea Domain.
Led by big hitting opener Joseph O'Sullivan, who scored 85 including 11 fours and one six, the side amassed a good total of 245 in their 50 overs.
Supported by Dean Child (57) and Mark Southee (39 not out), the home side amassed 256-4 in their 50 overs and after an aggressive spell of bowling by Mike Harris (4-27) and Kurt Watson (2-15), Kamo were in trouble early.
The top six Kamo batsmen failed to get into double figures, leaving Aaron McIntosh (19) and Derrick Bon (13 not out) to try and give the scoreboard respectability. Matt Thorburn (2-22) and Paul Wilson (1-6) polished off the tail to give Maungakaramea their first win of the competition.
Kaipara won the other match on Saturday to join Onerahi on top of the table with a 20-run victory over City at Cobham Oval.
Kyron Dill was the star for Kaipara, top-scoring with 47 as they reached 214-5 in their 50 overs. He then took 3-10 as City came up short in their 50 overs. Harry Darkins top-scored for City, with 45 and his partnership with Kurt Wilson (35) put City in with a good chance. But when he was dismissed by a fantastic catch - again by Dill - City's chase faltered and they went from 105-3 to 121-7 in the space of a few overs.
Tailender Matt Wills scored a useful 35 but the Kaipara bowling effort was too good for City and they couldn't recover.