The return of James and Hamish Marshall proved a determining factor in Kaipara Flats' top of the table clash with Kamo in the 4th round of the Mark Cromie Holden 50 over competition.
Batting first, Kaipara Flats were dismissed in the 49th over for 219. Hamish Marshall, fresh from theNorthern Knights unsuccessful campaigns on the domestic scene, scored a fine 106.
Particularly strong through the legside and on anything short, Hamish Marshalls' innings shone like a beacon given the next highest score was Matt Taylor's 23.
Kamo bowled and fielded tidily and without Marshall's contribution would have been well in it.
In reply, Kamo struggled with the bat and were dismissed for just 86 in the 26th over. Hamish's brother James, took 3 for 5 with the ball, whilst English import Joe Robbins took 3 for 24.
Given that Kaipara Flats play a young WBHS side in the final round, they remain odds on to qualify for the final.
Runs were hard to come by in the game at Kensington Park between Maungakaramea and Onerahi. Batting first, Maungakaramea were dismissed for 86. Top scorer for the Maungakaramea side was extras with 28. Onerahi knocked off the required runs in just 19 overs for the loss of 5 wickets.
In the final game played at Cobham Oval, WBHS won the toss and were dismissed off the final ball of the innings for 155. WBHS lost three early weeks before Max Davis (53) and Fraser Seymour (42) consolidated. The pick of the City bowling was Keiran Nelson with 4 for 20 off 9 and Ian Page who also picked up 2 wickets.
However, playing on the same wicket as the Blackcaps v Zimbabwe game, 155 was always going to be a bit on the light side and so it proved. With Bert Horner scoring 28, Rory Darkins (50) and Ian Page (60 no), City were untroubled in scoring the required runs in only 30 overs.
The competition is now interestingly poised, Kaipara Flats and Kamo are on 14 points, with WBHS, City and Onerahi all on 9. Kamo play Onerahi next week, City play Maungakaramea and Kaipara Flats play WBHS. Bonus points could determine the finalists or it may yet come down to a countback of round robin results or runs per wicket for and against.
