Cricket: Horner takes fight to Boys' High with classy ton

Kaipara wicketkeeper Rory Christopherson leaps for the ball to dismiss City batsman James Thompson for 52 runs. Photo / Tania Whyte

The weather gods turned it on for round three of the Northland Cricket Association's Oxford Trust Two-Day Competition, providing superb playing conditions for the region's premier players to turn up the heat for their respective club sides.

At Maungakaramea Domain, a superb knock of 101 not out saw Bert Horner capitalise on his side's decision to bat first against Whangarei Boys' High School.

While the Maungakaramea middle-order was dealt some hefty blows, Horner linked up well with No9 Neal Parlane (57 runs) towards the end of the first innings to help his side to 222/8 off 106 overs.

Unleashing some sting of their own, the Boys' High bowlers made some good in-roads, with Tyler Lortan (3-57) and Sam Walker (2-46) rolling up their sleeves to snare vital wickets.

Horner struck early, taking the wicket of Lortan (37 runs) via a run-out to leave Boys' High on 53/2 but in a steady position ahead of Day Two.

At Cobham Oval, City won the toss on Saturday and elected to bat first against the visiting Kaipara Flats premier side.

Kaipara's Kyran Dill stood out in the first innings, and continued to build on his impressive form this summer by taking 3-42 from his 20 overs with the ball.

Shaun Beamish (3-61) also played well, while Matthew Taylor (2-44) and Gursimranjeet Virk (1-29) proved handy to have around as well.

With the bat, City strode towards a first innings total of 230/9 after declaring just shy of 85 overs.

Making a sturdy half century, City's No3 James Thompson finished on 52 runs after edging the ball into the safe hands of Kaipara wicketkeeper Rory Christopherson.

Craig Little (36 runs) and Jeremy Guy (34 runs) also produced good knocks, while openers Ben Smith and Joey Yovich got the innings off to a good start, scoring 22 and 29 runs respectively.

For Kaipara, Christopherson and Ray Beamish got the second innings under way at the crease, but did not last long.

Bowled for one run after 15 minutes, Beamish's dismissal was followed soon after by Christopherson's. However, he fared much better with a good showing of 17 runs off 21 balls.

Solidifying the innings, No4 Mike Allot stepped up to remain not out on 26 runs heading into the second day, of the Oxford Trust competition on Saturday.