Cricket: WBHS impress in two-day fixture

Whangarei Boys' High School batsman Issac Osbaldiston helped his side grab first innings points in the Oxford Trust Two Day competition. Photo/John Stone

Whangarei Boys' High School First XI have continued their unexpected good form in Northland's club cricket scene by taking first innings points in their Oxford Trust Two-Day clash with Westech Automotives Maungakaramea.

WBHS started day two on 116 for two, needing a further 107 runs to take first-innings points.

Things started poorly for the high school side, losing overnight batsmen Chamodh Peiris (75) and Quinn Pooley (29) in quick succession in the first session.

Maungakaramea's Ian Wallace (5 for 42) then removed Sam Webb for a third ball duck to have WBHS at 131 for 5.

Wallace then took another wicket and after Michael Harris (1 for 18) grabbed one for himself, WBHS were 160 for 7, still 63 runs away from first innings points.

However, the Harris wicket brought Ian Osbaldiston (44) to the crease and, combined with the secure Rory Christopherson (68), went about consolidating their innings and chipping away at the target.

The pair took WBHS past Maungakaramea's first innings total of 222, and WBHS kicked on to make 252 to give themselves a 30-run lead.

Needing to score quickly to set a total and bowl WBHS out again, Maungakaramea started with positive intent as Tom Lovegrove (24 off 19) and Matt Taylor (47 off 66) scored freely.

When Lovegrove was dismissed, Tyler Lortan came in and belted the ball to all corners of the ground.

Lortan managed 77 off 50 balls with eight fours and two sixes.

Hamish Kidd joined in the onslaught, bludgeoning 45 from just 19 balls including four fours and four sixes.

Maungakaramea declared at 207 for 3, giving WBHS a target of 177 to win outright.

Peiris (31) scored freely in his 32-ball knock, but a brace of wickets from James Merry (2 for 29) and the limited time they had to score the runs meant the game ended in a draw.

WBHS ended their second dig on 66 for three.

In the other match of the round, Duracrete Products City found themselves needing 129 runs for first innings points after reaching 89 for one on day one of their match against Kaipara Flats.

Not out batsman Bert Horner (66) and Stacey Hyndman (31) stuck around for a while, before both were dismissed in quick succession.

Kaipara Flats seemed to be back in the contest when City were 166 for 5, but Harry Darkins (58) and Matthew Lobb (46) took the game away from the home side.

Liam Jones (2 for 8) grabbed a couple of late wickets but it wasn't enough to stop City making 269, giving the visitors a first innings lead of 58.

Kaipara Flats started their second innings solidly, with Jaz Williams (32) and Jordan Kose (25) combining for a 44 run opening stand.

City then turned the screws on Kaipara Flats as medium-pace bowlers Joey Yovich (4 for 35) and Ray Fannin (4 for 51) piled on pressure and ripped through the middle order.

Kaipara Flats managed to avoid being bowled out, finishing the day on 153 for 9. This gave City the first innings points.