Cricket: Horne vital for Grafton

By GRAHAM REDDAWAY

Grafton's chances of making the Auckland premier club championship playoffs have been boosted with the availability of Matt Horne for next Saturday's second day of the match against North Shore.

Horne will be between State Championship home games for Auckland.Anything less than a first innings lead would put Grafton out of contention. At stumps on the first day, Horne was 36 not out and Grafton were 44 without loss replying to North Shore's 255.

Cornwall confirmed a place in the championship round with a first innings lead over Suburbs New Lynn, Aaron Barnes taking six for 22. Suburbs, in fourth place, made 119. At the close, Cornwall were 129 for five.

Howick Pakuranga bowlers Brad Neilson, with four for 24, and Dean Wedlake, with four for 26, helped dismiss East Coast Bays for 93. Howick were 47 for two, needing a first innings lead to make the top four.

Parnell were 121 for one, taking a first innings lead over Birkenhead, who were dismissed for 98.

In the first grade, Mark Bowen hit 156, and with John Davidson added 211 for the last wicket as Auckland University reached 311 against Howick Pakuranga; while Papatoetoe, Cornwall and Ellerslie have the better of the other games.