Northern Districts first class star Bharat Popli showcased his class as he blazed 181 to power Pukekohe Metro to a first-up win in the W.H Taylor Shield against Papakura.
Batting first at Bledisloe Park, Popli shared a 223-run monster partnership with Leon Marconi (91) to set up a first innings score of 326-4 declared.
Popli’s innings included 22 boundaries and came quicker than a run-a-ball.
In reply, Papakura were bowled out for 132.
Skipper Reid Somani was brilliant for the home side as he ran through the Papakura line-up, taking the incredible figures of 8-42 off 12.1 overs.
The bright spot for Papakura was the debut of the uber-talented Abhay Kaushal, who scored 32 opening the innings and showed great temperament in his stay at the crease.
Half centuries from skipper Luke Williamson (70) and Marcel Marconi (50) and an unbeaten 48 from Michael Schofield helped Karaka post 240-8 declared batting first against Southern Counties.
Youngster Haydon Danford was the pick of the bowlers for the home side – claiming 4-29 off 12.3 overs. Left-arm spinner Finn Williams claimed three scalps.
Williamson took 5-42 while Schofield chipped in with 3-32 to bowl Southern Counties out for 189.
Sam Saunokonoko helped take the game deep – the Southern Counties skipper making 96.
Weymouth had the better of neighbours Manukau City but had to settle for a draw.
Batting first, Weymouth posted a respectable 200 all out with Arminder Sohal top scoring on 108 not out.
In reply, Manukau City could manage only 146-9 with Gurinderjit Singh taking 5-31 and Rohit Kumar picking up 3-40.
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