Cricket: Twin centuries but no cigar for Northland side

The Northland 1st XI look on as a new batsman heads to the crease on day one of the Northern Districts senior men's two-day competition match against Counties Manukau. Photo / Tania Whyte

Northland's 1st XI has fallen painfully short of a win in their latest Fergus Hickey Rosebowl encounter against Counties Manukau at Cobham Oval.

Despite a barrage of high scores - thanks to Brad Kneebone, Neal Parlane, and Henry Cooper - Northland didn't have quite enough in the tank as the game slipped away in the latter stages.

Counties had all guns firing for the jaunt north to Whangarei.

Matthew Lobb took 2-21 for Northland. Photo / Tania Whyte

Posting 399 runs on the board in the first innings on Saturday, the visiting side set their hosts a formidable task on day one.

Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Counties Manukau wasted little time opening the scoring.

First at the crease, Tony Manning and Jono Hickey got the ball rolling with 29 and 22 runs respectively.

Lifting the tempo, Barry Rhodes (38) and Nick Kelly (66) offered plenty batting at No3 and No4 to further Counties' tally.

Sitting pretty with the overs ticking by, Counties' best was to come, however.

Producing a stunning knock of 126 runs off 92 balls, Victor Davies' strike rate went through the roof as his tenure at the crease bolstered the visiting side's innings total and put them in a commanding position.

Managing 19 boundaries - including 17 fours and two sixes - Davies overshadowed his teammates' efforts, despite No9 Marty Perry reaching a stunning half-century and finishing 51 not out off 52 balls.

Though the first day belonged to Counties, Northland's bowling attack produced some moments of brilliance.

Destructive in his second appearance for the Northland XI, seamer Matthew Lobb was superb in his ability to secure two wickets in quick succession and keep his side's flame lit.

Nick Stobart's 3-28 was also commendable, as was Kyran Dill's 20 overs with the ball, where he produced figures of 2-69.

Staring down an imposing challenge, Northland's batsmen were productive on day two. None more so than Kneebone, Parlane, and Cooper.

Following the early dismissal of Ben Hyde for two runs and Tyler Lortan's eight off 24 balls, No2 Kneebone got busy with the bat to stabilise the innings.

With the arrival of Parlane, Northland's hopes went up another notch as he batted his way to an impressive century before finishing on 112 runs.

Kneebone had similar antics in mind and went on to get his century in fighting fashion, scoring 109 before being dismissed.

Batting at No5, Cooper put on one of his best performances of late (91 runs off 136 balls) to drive Northland's intentions of a win home in the latter stages of play last night.

However, Counties' bowlers ravaged the Northland tail order in the dying stages to close out the match.

Michael Schofield took a handy 4-51 at the death, and ended the match by taking the wicket of Cooper to see Northland off at 343/10 after 107.3 overs.