Cricket: Hampton ton can't save side

Greerton bowler Dan Spencer took a six-wicket bag against Cornwall on day one of the National Club Championships in Auckland. Photo / File

A typically blazing century by Greerton's Brett Hampton was not enough to get Greerton home against Cornwall on day one of the 2014/15 National Club Championships that began at Auckland's Cornwall Park, yesterday.

Cornwall made 272 off 50 overs and Greerton finished on 200 off 38.2 overs, with Hampton hitting a brilliant 54-ball century including 10 fours and six sixes. Unfortunately, his was almost a lone hand against a quality attack, including Black Caps leg spinner Tarun Nethula.

Cornwall struggled to assert themselves against Greerton's pace attack spearheaded by Campbell Thomas. But not for the first time this season it was Dan Spencer who was the pick of the bowlers taking 6/40 off 10 excellent overs.

Auckland Aces star Michael Guptill-Bunce hit a run-a-ball 34 before he was clean bowled by Spencer. Cornwall were struggling at 104/5 before the innings was rescued by Brad Chemaly with 67 and top scorer Tom Wilson, who made 71 off 59 balls.

Cornwall were all out on the final ball of the 50th over for 272 to set Greerton a challenging target.

Opener Kent Hodder was the first to go in the fifth over with the score on 12 followed soon after by Thomas as Greerton were struggling at 30/2 after 10 overs. Bay of Plenty reps Tom MacRury and Hampton wasted no time getting stuck into the Cornwall bowlers. Their 50 partnership took just 27 minutes with Hampton the aggressor.

Greerton's 100 came up in the 21st over when MacRury was out stumped for 37. Cameron Neal joined Hampton who brought up his 50 off 40 balls. Greerton were 115/3 at the halfway stage after 25 overs, needing 158 runs at 6.32 per over.

Neal fell for nine after drinks but Hampton went up a gear. In the 30th over he plundered 28 including three consecutive sixes to move to 92 off 60 balls with Greerton 164/4. Tom Clout and Richie Earl were dismissed within three balls with 102 to win. Hampton hit two consecutive boundaries to bring up his 100 off 54 balls with 88 needed to win.

Sadly for Greerton, Nethula snared Hampton on 104 and that was the end of the contest.

Greerton play Wellington's Onslow from 10am today. Live scoring www.blackcaps.co.nz.

Cornwall 272 (Tom Wilson 71, Brad Chemaly 67; Dan Spencer 6/40) Greerton 200 (Brett Hampton 104, Tom MacRury 37; Teja Nidamanuru 4/33)