Kamo ahead of pack

Club cricket returned to the one-day format for the third round of the Mark Cromie 50-Over Competition.

Kamo, a side improving after some lean years, took a commanding five-point lead in the standings, with a comfortable bonus-point victory over Whangarei Boys High School on Saturday.

Batting first at Kensington Park, Kamo scored 185, import Steven Knox top scoring with 55. His experience in collecting ones and twos shone through as there were only eight fours and one six scored in the innings. For the students, Vishaan Harypursat took four wickets and Alex Tunstall three.

In reply, WBHS were under early pressure as the new ball attack of Curtis Cherrington and Ben Hyde proved hard to score from. Cherrington, the present leader in the Club Player of the Year standings, took only one wicket but only conceded eight runs from his seven overs. Ben Hyde took 2-20, Ryan Smith 3-31 and Jamie Millar 3-28 as the WBHS team was dismissed for 103 in the 39th over.

In the other game at Kensington, Onerahi won a last over thriller against City. Batting first, City were dismissed in the 41st over for 141. Only Richard Atkins showed the necessary patience and skill in compiling his 55. New Onerahi skipper Henry Cooper took four wickets with his off-spin.

In reply, Onerahi started slowly, then lost their way through the middle stages of their innings as scoreboard pressure and the loss of a couple of wickets took its toll. It surprisingly came down to them requiring seven runs off the last over. Unfortunately for City, Joey Yovich delivered two no balls and Onerahi scrambled home to win with two balls remaining and four wickets in hand.

Kaipara Flats continued their push for a clean sweep of all the competitions with a comfortable bonus-point victory over Maungakaramea in the round's other match. Played at Kaipara, Maungakaramea batted first after winning the toss and scored 153/9. Matt Thornton with 41 and Liam O'Sullivan with 30 not out were the main scorers, while Matt Taylor continued his fine wicket taking form with 3-35.

Kaipara Flats got home in the 34th over for the loss of only three wickets, thanks to Ray Beamish who top scored with 81 not out and Kevin Forde 27 not out. Beamish, a former Northland age group representative, opened the batting and after surviving an early chance batted fluently and was particularly strong through and over the leg side.

Kamo lead this competition on 14 points, while Kaipara Flats now have nine points, level with WBHS.