Cricket: Tension rises for Auckland club titleholders

Cornwall's defence of their Auckland club cricket title is at stake in their clash with this season's leaders, Grafton.

At Victoria Park, amid the hustle of central Auckland in comparison to the serenity of Cornwall Park, the home side carefully compiled 224. Craig Cross scored 55 in his comeback, and allrounder Guy Coleman 47.

The formidable Cornwall attack was held at bay and only Dan Barrett (4-34) managed to break through the Grafton defences with any regularity. At stumps, Cornwall were 54-2.

Grafton lead the competition by 7.40 points from Howick Pakuranga and are 26.04 ahead of fourth-placed Cornwall.

Breathing hard down Cornwall's neck are East Coast Bays, who trail by 1.81, and North Shore, just 4.30 behind Cornwall.

And with Bays in a strong position to take first-innings points from Parnell, and North Shore well placed against Takapuna, there will be extreme tension in the Cornwall camp when the games finish next weekend.

Four teams go through to the championship round, and each carry their points forward. The rest will strive to stay clear of the relegation zone.

Takapuna made 205 and North Shore were 57-0 at the close. Parnell's Cam Fawkner bowled superbly to take seven for 56 in East Coast Bays' first innings of 134, but the easterners were struggling at 79-6.

Howick Pakuranga, who constantly struggle to get their first XI on the field due to the demands of the Auckland team, battled all day to make 278 against Suburbs New Lynn, James Newth scoring 91.

In a first-division, top-of-the-table clash, Waitakere City lost the toss and, given use of a Birkenhead pitch that seamed alarmingly for the first hour, struggled to 138.

By stumps Birkenhead (143-5) had first-innings points.

Papatoetoe (179-4) had headed Eden Roskill (172) and University Akarana (133-5) were in touch with Ellerslie (154).