Cricket: Christopherson ton puts Kaipara Flats in prime position

Onerahi Central's Jarrod Mcleod smashes one through the covers under the watchful gaze of Whangarei Boys' High School wicket-keeper Luke Trigg. Photo / Tania Whyte

Kaipara Flats have put themselves in a dominant position in the opening round of the Oxford Trust Two Day competition.

They sent Duracrete Products City in to bat at Bourne Dean Domain and the decision paid off in a big way as City could only muster 92 all out.

Vaughn Witten top-scored with 20 as the vaunted attack of Liam Jones (4 for 15), Shaun Beamish (3 for 23) and Kyran Dill (2 for 24) tore the City middle order out with ease.
The Kaipara bowlers knocked City down in just under 48 overs, giving them 50 overs to consolidate first-innings points.

They did that and more, with Rory Christopherson taking full toll on the City bowling attack to end the day unbeaten on 109.

The 153-ball knock included 14 boundaries and Christopherson will look to maintain the runs come this weekend.

Christopherson found strong support through Matt Taylor, who struck 62 at better than a run a ball to leave Kaipara Flats at 217 for two at the close - a lead of 125.

Meanwhile Onerahi Central and the Whangarei Boys' High School 1st XI are evenly poised after day one of their clash.

Onerahi were bowled out for 233 before WBHS got through to 67 for one at the close.

Brad Kneebone (40), Jarrod Mcleod (38) and Dominic Finn (37) all chipped in with valuable runs on Kensington Park but no one kicked on for the home side.

All six WBHS bowlers picked up scalps, with Kurt Oldridge (2 for 15) returning the best figures.

Quinn Pooley then hit 38 to get WBHS off to a good start but was dismissed two overs before the close of play by a Fletcher Coutts run-out.

Lewis Miller (24) and Kian Bird (2) will resume this week looking to knock off the 167 runs needed for first-innings points.

The other premier game is delicately balance with Kamo needing 12 runs for first-innings honours with two wickets in hand against Westech Automotives Maungakaramea.

Maungakaramea battled their way to 170 in their innings behind contributions from Mark Southee (30) and Sean West (29).

Ben Hyde (4 for 29) and Sean Daniels (3 for 33) proved difficult to play on their home deck.

In reply Kamo worked their way to 159 for eight at the close, just short of claiming first-innings points.

Half-centuries to Jacob Cherrington (64) and Mark Donegan (50) put Kamo close to the mark but Hamish Kidd (3 for 69) and Ian Wallace (3 for 40) have kept Maungakaramea right in the hunt.

Teams will resume day two on Sunday, with all club cricket being moved back a day due to the West Indies' warm-up fixture against a New Zealand XI at Cobham Oval.