Cricket: Mills marks his return boldly

By GRAHAM REDDAWAY

Match figures of nine wickets for 65 by medium-fast bowler Kyle Mills in his first appearance since breaking his left arm in a club match eight weeks ago not only brought victory for Howick Pakuranga over Parnell in the Auckland cricket competition, but also drew a sigh of relief from provincial coach Tony Sail.

Mills was excluded from the Auckland team who played Otago in a Shell Cup match yesterday, as Sail preferred to keep his strike-bowler on ice until the next game, a Shell Cup fixture against Wellington at Eden Park on December 27.

Mills stretched out at full pace and took five for 31 in Parnell's first innings of 146 - 70 short of Howick Pakuranga's first innings - and four for 34 when Parnell crashed all out for 86 while chasing 185 to win.

He had plenty of help from Sam Whiteman, who ended the match with nine for 57.

Eighteen-year-old North Shore batsman Gene Andrews, fresh out of Auckland Grammar, scored a maiden premier century against Grafton, and their leading bowler, Steve Sharp, took six for 48 in Grafton's first innings.

But it was not enough to stave off the leading side in the competition, who battled to take first innings points, a rearguard action by Shaun Gear (91) and Tane Topia (73) giving them the lead.

Takapuna, desperate for points, wrapped up a first-innings lead over Cornwall and then made a generous declaration which provided a target of 201 from 35 overs. Cornwall made it with five wickets and seven balls to spare.

Michael Hendry took East Coast Bays to a first-innings win with a century against Suburbs New Lynn.

In first grade play, Waitakere City's Blair White, fresh from his heroics with the bat on the opening day, took the ball and ended with match figures of 10 for 66 against Ellerslie, who lost by an innings.

Birkenhead staved off Papatoetoe's challenge and maintained their lead on the ladder.