Cricket: North Shore on win streak

Even a four-wicket haul by Howick-Pakuranga captain Kerry Walmsley could not halt the relentless North Shore charge at the Auckland one-day premier championship.

On a day in which all matches were reduced from 50 overs, and with most games switched from grass to artificial wickets, the scoring was somewhat subdued.

For the first time this season, North Shore batted first at Lloyd Elsmore Park. Led by Terry Crabb (41) they managed a reasonable 144/8 from their 34 overs after reaching 120/3 from 28 before Walmsley struck with 4-18. Despite a battling half century from Auckland captain Brooke Walker, Howick Pakuranga fell 15 runs short of victory allowing Shore to continue their unbeaten start to the season.

Grafton is also yet to taste defeat. They restricted Parnell to 146/8 (in 45 overs), with Guy Coleman 3-24 from his allotted nine overs keeping a hold on the scoring. Openers Greg Loveridge and Matt Horne then hit half-centuries in an opening partnership to scuttle Parnell's hopes.

East Coast Bays bounced back from last week's defeat to beat Papatoetoe in a low-scoring affair. After skittling the home side for 110 in 40 overs, Bays reached 114 with six wickets and 16 overs in hand.

- THE HERALD ON SUNDAY