Cricket: WBHS, Maungakaramea on charge in Lion Red Cup

Duracrete Products City bowler Cam Dow sends a delivery down as Westech Automotives Maungakaramea's Todd Skudder watches on during their Declaration Cricket fixture. Photo / Tania Whyte

Whangarei Boys' High School and Westech Automotives Maungakaramea picked up important wins in the latest round of Lion Red Cup action.

WBHS decided to bat first against Kamo and it looked a good decision early with Luke Trigg and Lewis Miller (16) put on a 49-run opening stand.

Miller departed but Trigg continued to build a secure innings as he paired with Sam Sweeney (31) for a 59-run partnership.

Sweeney was then dismissed but Trigg batted through to the 47th over before being dismissed for a patient 147-ball 80.

Sam Webb (38) added late impetus to the innings to get WBHS through to 209/5 from their 50 overs.

Kamo's reply started well with Josh Crawford (43) and Lakhdeep Singh (28) turning the strike over well in a 69-run pairing.

However, both fell in quick succession and sparked a major collapse which saw them lose their last eight wickets for just 45 runs.

Cale Pooley (5-10) proved tough to play and sealed a five-wicket bag and the win with the last wicket, confirming the 74-run result.

WBHS have now secured their first trip to the Lion Red Cup final in eight years with one round to spare.

Meanwhile, Maungakaramea accounted for Onerahi Central at home.

Maungakaramea batted first and posted a difficult target for Onerahi Central.

Ben Cochrane (78) and Scott Harris (60) provided the bulk of the scoring for the home side, however Onerahi kept fighting with Tom Keogh (3-24), Sean Doel (2-39) and Cole Roberts (2-16).

Onerahi would have felt they were in with a good chance of picking up a road win, however four wickets from Nathan Condon quashed those hopes. Jarrod Mcleod top scored with 29.

The other fixture wasn't played as Kaipara Flats defaulted to Duracrete Products City.

In reserve grade action, City dismantled Maungakaramea to keep their strong form in the Declaration Cricket competition going.

City bowled first on Kensington Park and quickly ripped through Maungakaramea's batting order to dismiss them for just 57 inside 27 overs.

Terry Jobbit led the charge with 4-16 in his 11 over spell and was ably backed up by Cam Dow (3-15) and Vaughan Witten (2-16).

City made tough work of the low chase but got there with four wickets in hand, increasing their lead at the top of the ladder.

Kamo High also picked up a strong victory, beating Onerahi Central-Huanui College (OCHC) by eight wickets.

Huanui batted first and, led by Dean Potter (43 not out) and Hunter Reid (29), managed to fight their way to 114.

Spinner Billy Alexander-Crawford (3-18) was the pick of the attack and was helped by Kobe Walters (2-14).

Kamo High chased the target down with relative ease as Harry Cooper (44 not out) and Walters (40) got them home with eight wickets to spare.

Meanwhile WBHS grabbed a tense 14-run win over Onerahi Central.

WBHS made their way to 126 batting first with only Caleb Beazley (20) making it to the 20-mark. Wickets were shared around the Onerahi attack.

In reply Adam Sylva's 38 looked likely to get Onerahi home, however a classy spell from opening bowler Michael Krige (6-24) proved the side's undoing just 15 runs short of victory.

The result between Kamo and Bream Bay was not received before publication deadline.