Kerikeri accounted for Mangonui with relative ease to successfully defend the One Day Challenge Trophy in Taipa last Thursday.
The second annual match was played in sweltering midsummer conditions and saw Mangonui giving up valuable wickets relatively cheaply through an early barrage from Kerikeri medium paceman James Welsh. The hosts were all out for 144 after 38 overs, leaving Kerikeri to reach the required 145 for the loss of only two wickets, and after only 23 overs. Kerikeri standout was the aforementioned Welsh in taking three wickets for 15 runs (in 6 overs), a strike rate which pretty much crippled the homeside's chances, and then batting for 54 not out.
Also notable was Rob Drummond with 30 not out, and young allrounder Aaron Ranara who recently won selection into the Northern Districts under-16 rep team (the only Northlander in the team apparently). While he took no wickets, Ranara only gave away 18 runs in his eight overs, and scored 17 runs off the bat. Good bowling also by Luke Bowring with 3/30 (8).
For Mangonui, Josh Ashley was the best batter with 60 followed by Shane 'Pika' McDonald 23; while the best bowling figure belonged to Karl Maria with 2/32 (4).
The FNCA senior domestic season is set to resume this Sunday in a 40/40 format (which had some commentators concerned as it made for a longer day in a competition where several teams were still struggling to field sufficient players). The draw was Mangonui v Kaitaia at Taipa at 10am; Kerikeri v Kaikohe at Northland College at 10.30am, bye Paihia.
