Napier Tech's statement win over Central Hawke's Bay at Nelson Park on Saturday puts them well on track to defend the MJF Shrimpton Memorial Cup in the premier men's 50-over cricket competition.
Openers Kurtis Weeks (51) and Toby Findlay (73) put their side on track for a total of 253 batting first.
Central's run chase never got going as they lost three wickets inside the opening 11 overs including Craig Lawrence and Dominic Thompson to consecutive balls off Sam Pawson's bowling.
He also claimed the key wicket of Angus Schaw, who top scored with 38, as Central were all out for 158 in the 41st over.
Havelock North grabbed their first win of the competition at the same venue, restricting Napier Old Boys' Marist to 166/9 in their 50 overs.
Number five batsmen Nihal Shilar anchored the innings with an unbeaten 52, but he didn't have much support as William Clark picked up three wickets for Havelock North.
Clark also opened the batting for the Villagers and his unbeaten 82 got them home inside 39 overs with nine wickets in hand.
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Cornwall also opened their account in the 50 over competition with a win over Taradale at Taradale Park.
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Advertise with NZME.Batting first, the hosts made 205, with Cornwall surpassing that in their 45th over with three wickets in hand.
The fifth round of the men's Division One 45-over grade was also played on Saturday, and the Napier Boy's High School First XI continued their unbeaten run with a dominant win over Havelock North.
They bowled Havelock out for 110 and then strolled to victory thanks to Baylee Foote's 61no off 51 balls.
Lindisfarne College's First XI made 268/6 in their 45 overs against Taradale as Lovepreet Padda top scored with 68 runs.
Taradale could muster only 48 runs in reply before they were all out in the 17th over, with Lindisfarne bowlers Jack Sunckell and Sam Devescovi taking five wickets each.
The Hastings Boys' High School First XI handed Cornwall their first loss of the season, and it came in similarly dominant fashion.
Opener Joshua Fairbrother's score of 85 anchored a total of 230 for Hastings Boys', who then bowled Cornwall out for just 92.
Sher-E-Punjab got one back against the high schools in the other match on Saturday, making 211 runs in their innings before bowling St John's College out for 141.
