Takapuna gain back ground on final weekend

Monday, 19 December 2011

After several days of persistent rain it was no surprise that very little cricket was played in Auckland on Saturday. In the final two-day round before the Christmas break only a couple of games managed to get a start, and in those less than 100 overs in total were possible.

Suburbs New Lynn, Grafton United and Birkenhead City had all secured first innings points on the opening day but were denied a chance to claim outright points, whilst there was some joy for Takapuna who finally picked up their first victory of the two-day campaign.

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

 

Round 4

 

North Shore v Suburbs New Lynn - Devenport Domain

Suburbs New Lynn cemented their place at the top of the Major Championship by wrapping up first innings points last week.

A five wicket haul from Darren Eckford and 85 from skipper Johnny Bassett-Graham helped them over the line, and despite day two being washed out Suburbs managed to stretch their lead over the chasing pack as only one other result was possible in the Major Championship.

A Twenty20 defeat is the only blemish on a superb first half of the season record for the Ken Maunder Park side, while North Shore head into the Christmas break at the foot of the table.

North Shore 109 (B Stewart 45*, D Eckford 5-40) & 36/4 (S Solia 4-19) lost to Suburbs New Lynn 144/8 dec (J Bassett-Graham 85, M Montgomery 31, E Atkinson 3-27) on first innings. (Day two abandoned)

Cornwall v HRV Howick Pakuranga - Cornwall Park

Howick Pakuranga narrowly avoided their first defeat of the two day campaign in one of only two games to see any play on Saturday.

At the end of day one the game was evenly poised with the visitors on 74/3 chasing their target of 290, but the wet conditions were a contributory factor as the visitors slipped to 113/7, Greg Morgan (36) the only batsman managing to stem the early tide.

But while the day started almost on time, frequent showers interrupted play throughout the remainder of the day, severely reducing the overs bowled, and this made the equation a simple one for both sides - Cornwall had to take the remaining wickets for victory, while the best Howick could hope for was a draw.

The rearguard action began with Dean Wedlake and Mitchell McClenaghan, who added 35 for the eighth wicket to take the score up to 158/8, and whilst another wicket fell almost immediately Howick's last pair stood firm to ensure the first innings points would be shared.

Howick go into the Christmas break in second position while Cornwall sit third.

Cornwall 289 (M Guptill-Bunce 169, S Marra 31, PJ Cairns 4-92, D Wedlake 3-56) drew with Howick Pakuranga 165/9 (G Morgan 36, A De Boorder 34) on first innings.

Parnell v Takapuna - Shore Road

Takapuna finally registered their first two-day victory of the season which also lifted them off the foot of the table.

While the day started on time regular showers ensured only 50 overs were possible, but that was more than enough time for the reigning premiers to find their form. Ian Smallburn picked up his second five wicket haul of the season, combining with James Cowell (3-58) to dismiss the home side for 139.

The visitors then enforced the follow on and picked up a further two wickets in the second innings.

With only one other result possible in the major championship in round 4, Takapuna rose from a precarious position at the bottom of the ladder to sixth place, leapfrogging Parnell in the process.

Takapuna 243 (R O'Donnell49, B Douglas 48, J Sole 48, B Winger 3-44) defeated Parnell 139 (I Smallburn 5-42, J Cowell 3-58) & 38/2 on first innings.

Papatoetoe v ILG East Coast Bays - Papatoetoe Recreation Ground

A potentially thrilling second day at the Recreation Ground was ruined by the rain. The home side needed a further 130 runs with six wickets in hand but no play was possible meaning the first innings points were shared.

East Coast Bays 207 (R Lane 36, R Christopherson 32, T MacDonald 31, D Deeble 30, A Kumar 7-66) drew with Papatoetoe 78/4 (D Deeble 3-35) on first innings. (Day two abandoned)

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

 

Grafton United v Eden Roskill - Victoria Park

There was no play possible at Victoria Park with the home side being denied a chance to pursue an outright victory after wrapping up first innings points last week.

This was particularly disappointing for Andy Lane as the young opener was cruelly denied the opportunity to register his maiden premier century - he was 90 not out at the close of play on day one.

Eden Roskill 96 (M Patel 39, K Law 4-22, J Roberts 3-27) lost to Grafton United 255/2 (G Coleman 96, A Lane 90*, M Horne 32*) on first innings. (Day two abandoned)

Ellerslie v Top Catch Auckland University - Michaels Ave

For the second time in the space of four days their was no play possible at Michaels Avenue where Ellerslie were due to host Auckland University.

On Wednesday night the sides were scheduled to meet in a T20 but not a ball was bowled, and it was a similar story on Saturday when, after a long and fruitless wait the towel was finally thrown in at 2pm. 

Ellerslie 187 (K Baker 72, M Selby 43, C Dineen 4-26) drew with Auckland University 58/1 on first innings. (Day two abandoned)

HRV Birkenhead City v Waitakere City - Birkenhead War Memorial Park

Birkenhead City climbed into second position after wrapping up crucial first innings points last weekend.

As in the other two minor championship games not a ball was bowled on day two, but the fact they dismissed the visitors for just 73 on day one ensures Birkenhead go into the Christmas break full of confidence.

Birkenhead City 227 (J Loates 66, A Plant 43, F Rose 37, R Evans 4-39, R Premathilaka 3-23) defeated Waitakere City 73 (F Rose 7-32) & 0/1 on first innings. (Day two abandoned).

Points table after round 4:

Hedley Howarth Trophy - Two-Day Major Championship
Suburbs New Lynn        55.14
Howick Pakuranga        47.77
Cornwall                       39.89
Papatoetoe                   30.24
East Coast Bays            27.95
Takapuna                     27.41
Parnell                          27.04
North Shore                  25.71

Tom Hellaby Trophy - Two-Day Minor Championship
Grafton United              42.75
Birkenhead City             40.05
Auckland University      36.41
Ellerslie                         29.47
Eden Roskill                  27.83
Waitakere City               27.32

Games this week:

Wednesday 21st December

Twenty20 Championship Round 3
ILG East Coast Bays v North Shore - Windsor Park
HRV Birkenhead City v Takapuna - Birkenhead War Memorial
HRV Howick Pakuranga v Ellerslie - Lloyd Elsmore Park
Top Catch Auckland University v Papatoetoe - Colin Maiden Park
Suburbs New Lynn v Parnell - Ken Maunder Park
Waitakere City v Cornwall - Te Atatu Park
Grafton United v Eden Roskill - Victoria Park