Cricket: Northland start Senior Secondary competition in mixed fashion

Northland went one for two on the opening day of the Northern Districts Senior Secondary Boys tournament in Gisborne. Photo/Getty Images

Bella Homes Northland had a mixed bag on the opening day of the Northern Districts Senior Secondary Boys tournament, registering a win and a loss in their T20 clashes.

Their first outing at Gisborne's Harry Barker Reserve pitted them against Bay of Plenty Coastlands.

Northland decided to bowl first and despite the first three overs being relatively expensive, they managed to pick up two early wickets as Sean West (3 for 24) showcased his skills.

Coastlands' Blair McKenzie held their innings together with a well-made 41, but Northland made constant inroads with a top bowling performance.

Connor Wilson (3 for 27) paired well with West as they and the rest of the attack limited Coastlands to 111/9 from their 20 overs.

A pair of run outs also helped their cause as did some good glove work from wicketkeeper Luke Trigg, who took four catches.

After losing Chamod Peiris (6) early, Northland consolidated through Cullen Lowe (24), Hamish Kidd (23) and Liam Wewege (16).

But just as it looked good for the Northlanders, Coastlands' leg spinner Iman Singh (3 for 15) removed Lowe, Kidd and Wewege.

Singh and Joshua Healy-Ormrod, who took one wicket for just two runs in his three overs, turned the screws on Northland and ultimately kept them six runs short to give Coastlands the win.

Northland had no time to dwell on the loss as they were matched up with Waikato Valley shortly after the conclusion of their first match.

Bowling first, Northland struggled to keep right on top of Waikato Valley for the first 15 overs, but they never let them get into a commanding position.

Waikato Valley had the chance to do some damage with 88 runs on the board and eight wickets in hand with five overs to go, but Kidd (2 for 15) pegged them back as they limped to 110/6.

Caleb Boswell-Smith (37 not out) and Quinn Pooley (41 not out) then helped Northland romp home with six wickets to spare.