Cricket: Newcomer edges City reserves to nine-wicket win

Kerikeri High First XI batsman Cameron Shepard prepares to drive, while City's wicketkeeper Ashton Pattenden looks on.

Three wickets from newcomer Simon Walker gave City's reserves a serious edge in their nine-wicket win over the Kerikeri High School First XI during the first round back of the Northland Reserves 40 Over Competition.

Joining the City club after playing for Auckland's Parnell Cricket Club in recent seasons, Walker's first foray into the Northland cricket scene was a cracker.

Backed up by good outings from his fellow bowlers, Walker's 3-18 played a solid part in City's first-innings effort as they restricted Kerikeri HS to 155 off 38.3 overs.

City freshman Simon Walker proved handy with the ball. Photo / Tania Whyte

High-scoring for Kerikeri, Cameron Shepard made 31 runs off 39 balls, while No3 batsman O Arthur scored a good knock of 36 runs from 59 balls.

Cracking into the run chase on a stunning day at Kensington Park, City's batsmen got well and truly stuck into their work early in the second innings.

Retiring due to injury after making a glorious 55 runs off 51 balls, S Kumar's tenure at the crease was admirable.

Scoring 27 runs off 16 balls, No2 Ashton Pattenden kept the City run-rate ticking over nicely, as did Jake Serotsky (18 runs) and Ravinder Maan (17 runs) who remained not-out at the end of play. Chasing down Kerikeri High School's total in less than 19 overs, City brought up the win for the loss of only two wickets in their opening game of the year.

Returning to action this weekend, Northland's premier club sides will swing back into action with round three of the Oxford Trust 2-Day Competition.

Maungakaramea will welcome Whangarei BHS's First XI to a match at Maungakaramea Domain, while City host Kaipara Flats at Cobham Oval, and Kamo play host to Onerahi at the Kamo Recreation Ground.