Cricket: Stobart rips into Kaipara

WBHS vs Bream Bay, WBHS's Jacob Woods in action. Photo / Michael Cunningham

A seven-wicket bag for Nick Stobart was Maungakaramea's biggest triumph as the seamer ripped through Kaipara's battling line-up on Day One of the Oxford Trust Two Day Competition's fourth round.

With no major breakthroughs in the opening innings, Maungakaramea were perched in a precarious position; all out for 100 after being sent in to bat first at Bourne Deane Domain in Kaipara Flats.

However, a sterling 7-57 from Stobart in the second innings relit the flame to get the visitors back in the match as they restricted Kaipara to 116.

Back into bat for the third stanza of play, Maungakaramea were 70/4 overnight and will be looking to extend the lead on Day Two this Saturday.

"It was a good day of cricket, the batting wasn't flash but the bowling was good," Maungakaramea's Neal Parlane said.

"I think we're probably slightly on top of them. We know their batting isn't flash, so if we can get to 115 again we should be sweet."

With rain washing out play for the remaining fixtures of the premier round, City, Kamo, Whangarei Boys' High School, and Onerahi kept their cricket whites clean.

City were due to host Kamo at Cobham Oval, and Boys' High were looking to play Onerahi at Kensington Park, however, a call was made last Thursday to abandon both matches due to exceptionally wet weather.

Lucky to play on in Kaipara, Parlane added the Bourne Deane Domain pitch was "fantastic".

"They didn't get quite as much rain down in Kaipara, but they've got a groundsman who's there most days, all day pretty much. Whereas in Whangarei the guys go between grounds which is a bit harder."

In the reserve grade, Whangarei Boys' High School's 2nd XI made light work of Bream Bay.

Chasing down Bream Bay's total of 110 runs in the 50 over format, Boys' High stacked on the runs to take the win inside 35 overs.

City's reserves also tasted victory on Saturday.

Travelling North to play Kerikeri High School's 1st XI in the 50/40 Declaration Competition, City's reserves restricted the home side to 112 runs off the first innings, and had them all out after 29.5 overs thanks to good bowling from T King (5-35) and J Ingram (2-25).

Cruising to the win with wickets and overs to spare, City finished on 114/6 after 38 overs; a performance which saw R Mann score one run short of a half century.