Three of the six Counties Manukau sides enjoyed opening round wins in the Spark Regional Cup that also involves teams from Hamilton and Waikato Valley.
Weymouth picked up a first up Spark Cup 84-run win on the road against Hamilton Boys High School on Saturday.
The visitors lost the toss and were inserted but managed to score 184 all out – a total that proved more than competitive.
Talented opener Aryandeep Mann got Weymouth off to a strong start, scoring a mature and patient 36 off 80 while Nav Aujla made 68 at a-run-a-ball.
Simer Sekhon then did the job with the new ball to knock the top off the Hamilton Boys’ top order. He picked up 3-10 while Aujla added to an already fine day with 3-20 to secure the win.
Defending champions Karaka got their title defence off to a strong start with a convincing 101-run win over Star University at Karaka Sports Complex.
Karaka skipper Luke Williamson won the toss and batted – his openers responded with a 48-run opening stand before Sam Varcoe was dismissed for 32.
Fellow opener Marcel Marconi picked up the slack and paced the innings with a terrific 96 off 119 balls.
The ended up with 219 all out.
The visitors never threatened and were bowled out for just 118 in 33 overs.
Navjot Sran, Leon Maconi, Andrew Mackenzie and Brayden Riggs each had two wickets.
Southern Districts lost to Morrinsville-Piako by five wickets in their Pool A contest in Morrinsville.
Skipper Sam Saunokonoko top scored with 38 but the visitors were unable to really establish any partnerships of value.
They finished with 135 all out.
The home side reached the target with five overs remaining.
Andrew Goodare and George Williams each picked up a brace of wickets.
Papakura posted 177 all out batting first against Hamilton Old Boys at Steele Park in Hamilton but were pipped as their opponents reached the target on the final ball of the innings.
Sunny Bal’s 51 was crucial while Ishaan Jain’s 38 late in the innings ensured the visitors posted something they could defend.
Satinder Gill claimed three wickets as Papakura looked to do enough to get the win but a late rally from the home side saw them sneak over the line.
Manukau City struggled with the bat and managed only 153 all out but it proved enough as they beat Fraser Tech by four runs.
Bowler James Naylor’s top score of 39 while batting at number six, helped Manukau eek out a total he and his teammates could try to defend.
Rooney Sharma picked up four wickets while Naylor got two wickets in the final over to seal victory.
Last year’s beaten finalists Pukekohe Metro got off to a rocky start as they found life challenging without a number of first choice players in their loss to Cambridge at Bledisloe Park.
The home side won the toss and batted but lost early and regular wickets as they limped to a disappointing 117 all out.
A top score of 29 by number 10 batsman David Kingham was the highlight of the poor showing.
Cambridge reached the target for the loss of only three batsmen – all three to spinner Kurt Barnes – and with 26 overs remaining.
Recent Comments