For the second week running Pukekohe Metro, Karaka and Manukau City picked up Duthie Cup wins to open up a clear top three heading into the Christmas break.
Pukekohe Metro exacted some revenge on Weymouth at Mountfort Park after the latter upset them a fortnight ago in Inder Lynch T20 action.
With all games played on artificial wickets due to the inclement weather through most of the past week, Pukekohe Metro found themselves under pressure early with Kurt Barnes and Aue Parima back in the hut inside the first four overs.
The Marconi brothers began a bit of a rebuild but the visitors continued to lose wickets until young star Fraser Farrell (56) and representative all-rounder Reid Somani (60 not out) were able to muster some resistance.
In the end Pukekohe Metro made it through to 239-7 off their 50 overs.
Oscar Taylor was the pick of the Weymouth bowlers, collecting 3-41 off his 10 overs.
The home side made a solid start with JayDee Sandhu (38) finding some form before Somani and Marcel Marconi (3-22) removed both openers in quick succession.
It was a struggle from there for Weymouth as Barnes and fellow spinner Cameron Hardwick turned the screws. While the latter was economical (0-26 off 10), it was Barnes that reaped the rewards as he took 6-22 to bowl Weymouth out for just 159.
Pukekohe Metro made it two wins from two while Weymouth falls to 0-2 in the Duthie Cup.
Karaka continues to impress through the opening weeks as they picked up a 134-run win over Southern Counties at Massey Park.
Batting first the Karaka openers got the visitors off to a strong start, losing their first wicket at 60 in the 13th over. Counties Manukau skipper Sam Varcoe top scored with an impressive 84 while Luke Williamson found himself in the runs again – getting 56 as Karaka reach 255-7 off their allotted overs.
Manpreet Singh (3-34), Finn Williams (3-39), Shaun Lovett (2-37) and Andrew Goodare (2-43) picked up wickets for Southern Counties.
The home side just couldn’t put together a partnership in excess of 30 and lost wickets at regular intervals in their reply.
Bayden Morey top scored with 29 but spinner Mannu Sachdev (4-16) and Williamson (3-17) ensured Karaka were always on top.
They eventually bowled Southern Counties out for 121.
Manukau City kept their unbeaten start to the season alive as they thrashed Papakura by nine wickets at Bruce Pulman Park.
Papakura batted first and managed 150 all out with teenager Aryandeep Mann leading the way with an impressive 43 against the powerful Manukau City new ball attack.
But once he fell there was little resistance as Rikesh Patel claimed 4-22 to continue his scintillating form to start the season.
Manukau City made short work of the chase – reaching the target one down in the 25th over. Tayden Smit led the way with 72 not out while Rikesh Patel (42) and Sandeep Patel (29 not out) continued their feast of runs early in the competition.
Pukekohe Metro beat Weymouth by 80 runs
Pukekohe Metro 239-7 (Reid Somani 60*, Oscar Taylor 3-41)
Weymouth 159 (JayDee Sandu 38, Kurt Barnes 6-22)
Karaka beat Southern Counties by 134 runs
Karaka 255-7 (Sam Varcoe 84, Manpreet Singh 3-34)
Southern Counties 121 (Bayden Morey 29, Mannu Sachdev 4-16)
Manukau City beat Papakura by nine wickets
Papakura 150 (Aryandeep Mann 43, Rikesh Patel 4-22)
Manukau City 151-1 (Tayden Smit 72*, Malav Bbrahmbhatt 1-29)
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