Bowlers hold sway on day one

Monday, 12 March 2012

Day one of the penultimate round of premier cricket saw ball dominate bat with over 100 wickets falling over the seven games.

In the major championship leaders Suburbs New Lynn were in trouble against Cornwall before an eventful last session put them back in control of the game. And in the minor championship it was another good day for Grafton United who amassed the day's highest score against Auckland University while their closest challengers Birkenhead City ended the day with much work still to do if they are to overcome Ellerslie.

Hedley Howarth Trophy - Men's Premier Two-Day Major Championship

Round 8 - 10-03-12

HRV Howick Pakuranga v Papatoetoe - Lloyd Elsmore Park 1 

Papatoetoe kept up their pursuit of leaders Suburbs New Lynn by claiming first innings points against Howick Pakuranga at Lloyd Elsmore Park.

The home side elected to bat first after winning the toss but lasted just 40 overs as Ish Sodhi and Gareth Shaw combined to grab eight wickets. And with plenty of time left in the day the visitors forged ahead to take first innings points, eventually finishing with a 40 run lead and three wickets in the bank.

And it was once again the S squad - Sodhi and Shaw - who led the Papatoetoe charge. Sodhi scored his second half century of the season to take him past the 300 run mark, while Shaw's 41 lifted him over the 500 run barrier for the campaign.

Shane Singe also added 33, and despite three wickets apiece for Jordan Drinkall and Greg Morgan the visitors will head into day two in search of an outright in hopes of keeping pace with major championship leaders Suburbs New Lynn.

Howick Pakuranga 139 (S Borland 34, I Sodhi 4-34, G Shaw 4-66) plays Papatoetoe 179/7 (I Sodhi 51*, G Shaw 41, S Singe 33, G Morgan 3-42, J Drinkall 3-69) after one day.

 

Cornwall v Suburbs New Lynn - Cornwall Park 1

One of the most dramatic days of premier cricket ended in the most bizarre of circumstances, but regardless of the chain of events Suburbs New Lynn ended in a commanding position as they continued their surge towards the two-day crown.

The title is Suburbs to lose and only a dramatic reversal in fortunes will now prevent them from lifting the Hedley Howarth Trophy at the season's end.

Day one didn't go to script for Suburbs as PJ Thomas (4-28) and Jack Shantry (4-54) had the leaders reeling on 117-9, with only Victor Davies (32) able to make a significant contribution. But the fighting Suburbs spirit then shone through as the final pair added 57 for the last wicket to see their side up to a more respectable total of 167.

Despite the lower order fight back Cornwall were still satisfied with their efforts against the table-toppers, but with 36 overs remaining in the day the most eventful of final sessions was about to unfold.

Looking to put a sizeable hole in the Suburbs score before the close of play the home side suffered a shocking collapse which was instigated by Daryl Tuffey. The former Blackcap ripped through the top order with a devastating burst (4-8) and with wickets also tumbling at the other end Cornwall slumped to a disastrous 29-7 from 30 overs. And there was one last twist in the tale to dampen spirits as players took an early bath when the Cornwall Park sprinklers burst into life to cut short an enthralling day's play.

With the home side still trailing by 138 runs the odds are heavily in Suburbs favour, although second placed Papatoetoe remained in Suburbs rear view mirror after they secured first innings points on day one of their clash with Howick Pakuranga.

Suburbs New Lynn 167 (V Davies 32, P Thomas 4-28, J Shantry 4-54) plays Cornwall 29/7 (D Tuffey 4-8) after one day.

 

North Shore v ILG East Coast Bays - Devonport Domain 1    

A 73 run partnership for the tenth wicket has put East Coast Bays in control of their bottom four encounter with North Shore.

After electing to bat first things didn't start well for the visitors as only Donovan Deeble (49) managed to come to terms with the bowling of Mark Tulloch (3-32) and Ben Stewart (3-42) - Bays slumping to 153-9.

Enter Bradley Schmulian and number 11 Stuart Lipshaw. The pair proceeded to play contrasting roles, but the end result saw the visitors finishing with a more than respectable total of 226 from 81 overs. While Lipshaw added only six runs to the partnership his contribution proved crucial as Schmulian dominated the opposition on his way to a brilliant 96 before his resolute partner finally fell.

Schmulian now has 579 runs in the campaign, and with 34 wickets to his name also he looks favourite to take out the club cricketer of the year rankings.

With 16 overs still to play Bays had plenty of time to press home their advantage, and did so by removing four of Shore's top order to leave the home side in trouble at 46-4 by the close. But while Shore may be down they are certainly not out and with the added boost of Blackcap Ronnie Hira returning next weekend they are certainly still in with a shout.
      
East Coast Bays 226 (B Schmulian 96*, D Deeble 49, M Tulloch 3-32, B Stewart 3-42) plays North Shore 43/4 after one day.

Parnell v Takapuna - Shore Road 1   

On an eventful day one at Shore Road both sides scored 113 runs and took 10 wickets each, although Parnell had the satisfaction of claiming first innings points with youngster Lochie Ferguson central to their success.

Ferguson was instrumental in helping skittle Takapuna for 98, picking up the outstanding figures of 4-6 from 11.2 overs. And with James Nichol and Michael Ravlic sharing the other six wickets between them the home side took control of the game.

The visitors then wrestled back the initiative thanks to Greg Johnson's five wicket bag, and with Ian Smallburn also chipping in with 3-21 Takapuna looked as though they were about to secure a crucial first innings victory. But Ferguson stepped up to the plate once more to frustrate the opposition with the best individual batting effort of the day, a crucial unbeaten 43 leading his side past their target and in to a slender 15 run advantage.

With eight overs to play out the Takapuna openers then managed to survive their second dig of the day and tie up the totals, leaving both sides still in with a clear chance of an outright when battle resumes.
                           
Takapuna 98 (L Ferguson 4-6, J Nicol 3-33, M Ravlic 3-33) & 15/0 plays Parnell 113 (L Ferguson 43*, G Johnson 5-37, I Smallburn 3-21) after one day.

Tom Hellaby Trophy - Men's Premier Two-Day Minor Championship

Round 8 - 10-03-12

Waitakere City v Eden Roskill - Te Atatu Park 1  

A Dusan Hakaraia inspired performance helped Waitakere City secure first innings points after day one of their contest with Eden Roskill, and they are well positioned to push for an outright when play resumes this coming weekend.

Hakaraia began the day by causing early damage amongst the opposition batters, claiming the best figures of 3-10 as Roskill were bowled out for 111 just after lunch. But that was merely the entree to the main course that was about to follow.

Hakaraia was in no mood to hang around when he took to the crease in his side's reply. In his typically belligerent style the Aces T20 and one-day player plundered 14 fours and three sixes, racing to a century in just 56 balls, and eventually going on to score 115.

Lost somewhere amongst the carnage was Aaron Jeavons who had also wasted little time racing to 70. Hakaraia and Jeavons now sit first and sixth respectively on the premier grade's run scoring charts, and have amassed an eye-watering 1500 runs between them.

The pair's latest efforts rocketed their side up to 212-4 inside 29 overs before Scott Curtis decided to have one more crack at Roskill with the ball. And if the visitors thought the day couldn't get any worse they were sadly mistaken, Hakaraia once again leading the charge by claiming the two wickets to fall before the close of play.

On day two Roskill will begin still 63 runs adrift with eight wickets second innings wickets in hand.

Eden Roskill 111 (S Castelino 34, D Hakaraia 3-10) & 38/2 plays Waitakere City 212/4 dec (D Hakaraia 115, A Jeavons 70) after one day.

Grafton United v Auckland University - Colin Maiden Park E

Grafton United comfortably amassed the days highest score in premier cricket as they ended day one in firm control of their game with Auckland University.

While wickets fell all around the Auckland region on pitches that suffered from the previous two weeks of inclement weather, Colin Maiden Park proved to be its usual batsman friendly self throughout the opening exchanges.

Grafton opener Guy Coleman took the early attack to the home side, striking 7 fours and a pair of sixes on his way to his seventh half century of the season. Englishman Alan Burton was in slightly more sedate, but no less effective, form as he struck 9 fours before falling just five short of a deserved century. On Burton's dismissal Sri Rajasekar picked up where he left off, plundering the Uni attack to all parts of Colin Maiden Park hitting 2 sixes and 8 fours in 81.

Vedant Zaveri and Warren Barnes each picked up three wickets for Uni but the day belonged to the visitors who finished on 347-9.

Grafton could almost certainly be guaranteed promotion if they secure first innings points this coming weekend and closest rivals Birkenhead City are unable to chase down Ellerslie's score.
 
Grafton United 347/9 (A Burton 95, S Rajasekar 81, G Coleman 69, W Barnes 3-56, V Zaveri 3-90) after one day.

Ellerslie v HRV Birkenhead City - Michaels Ave 1   

Hoping to keep pace with minor championship leaders Grafton United, Birkenhead City finished day two in disappointing fashion against Ellerslie.

Beginning the penultimate game of the season 12 points off the pace Birkenhead knew anything less than a first innings victory would almost certainly end any lingering promotion ambitions.

Things started well for City after they won the toss and decided to bowl first. Darrin Crook completed a marathon effort of 34 overs which saw him pick up three wickets for 64 runs. At the other end Rutvik Botadra was in equally stingy form, picking up 5-39 in his 21 overs.

Against this backdrop the going proved tough all day for the home side, but they managed to battle through 83 overs before eventually being dismissed for 192, Kris Baker (69) and Marc Carmody (33) being the mainstays of their innings.

City were then faced with a tricky 11 over period and the home side took full advantage by claiming two vital wickets. With veterans Terry Crabb and Phil Treanor being the two to fall, and a further 178 runs still needed for victory, Ellerslie are right in the game heading into day two.
      
Ellerslie 192 (K Baker 69, M Carmody 33, R Botadra 5-39, D Crook 3-64) plays Birkenhead City 15/2 after one day.

Points table after round 7:

Hedley Howarth Trophy - Men's Premier Two--Day Major Championship
Suburbs New Lynn           89.10
Papatoetoe                      72.84
Howick Pakuranga           63.40
Cornwall                          59.02
East Coast Bays               57.72
Takapuna                        50.61
Parnell                             49.02
North Shore                     47.80              
 
Tom Hellaby Trophy - Men's Premier Two-Day Minor Championship
 
Grafton United                76.26
Birkenhead City               63.45
Auckland University         59.69
Ellerslie                           53.58
Waitakere City                 52.96
Eden Roskill                    48.03