Cricket: Parnell make the most of opposition's weaknesses

Early leaders Parnell are continuing to set the pace in Auckland premier club cricket. In a low-scoring match at Shore Rd yesterday, the home side collected a first innings lead by the end of the first day against a Howick Pakuranga side weakened by a the loss of players to the Auckland State Championship team and the under-19 rep side.

After dismissing the visitors for 109 Parnell had scored 112/2 by stumps, with Willie Barton unbeaten on 63.

Grafton also took a first day first innings lead over North Shore who struggled with the bat. Led by five for 19 from Darren Crook, Grafton bundled Shore out for 109 at Devonport, then reached 129/7 in reply.

The real scoring came at Windsor Park where East Coast Bays hoisted a massive 333/9 dec on the back of a middle-order partnership between player-coach Paul Strang and Blair Miller. Strang scored 143 (off 224) after reaching his century from 174 balls in an innings which included 22 boundaries and a six. Waitakere City got through to stumps without losing a wicket.

It is evenly balanced at Cornwall Park where Papatoetoe managed just 155 with Gareth Shaw top-scoring with 48. In reply, Cornwall reached 74/4 but lost some advantage when Rob Lynch was out for 39 to the last ball of the day's play.

Ellerslie scored 323 against Cornwall at Victoria Park. In scoring an amazing 183/2 by lunch, the visitors held the upper hand on the back of the 126 scored by Brodie Wakefield who had gone to lunch four runs short of his century. In reply Grafton, at 62/4, have much work to do.