Cricket: WBHS pay for fielding lapses

WATCHFUL: Whangarei Boys' High School player Tyler Lortan defends this ball back to the bowler during his team's Lion Red Cup loss to Onerahi Central on Saturday. With the ball, Lortan picked up two wickets as Onerahi accumulated 253 all out. PHOTOS/JOHN STONE

English import Marc Lezar made Zest Insurance Whangarei Boys' High School pay for dropping him on 0, as he went on to notch up 143 for Onerahi Central and secure a 100-run win.

Being dropped on 0 wasn't Lezar's only second life too, with the Englishman being dropped twice more as he contributed the majority of his side's 253 all out.

While Lezar was the mainstay for his side in their Lion Red Cup match he was supported by Tom Smith (24) and Brad Kneebone (20) at times on a cracker of a day at Boys' High.

Picking up wickets for Boys' High on Saturday were Matt Lobb, Tyler Lortan, and Fletcher Coutts who all picked up a pair.

In response Whangarei Boys' High could manage only 153 as Smith followed up his performance with the bat with a handy trio of wickets for just five runs.

Also chipping in was Adam Sylva who grabbed 2 for 20 and Henry Cooper, who took 2 for 30.

For Boys' High, Sam Walker was the only one to show any real resistance as he top-scored for his team with 34.

Boys' High representative Russell Smith said his team was made to pay for their mistakes.

"[Lezar] capitalised on his chance and hit a fair few boundaries along the way. He was dropped on 0 and twice more ... we just didn't field particularly well," Smith concluded.

He added that the Boys' High pitch played better on the weekend compared to during their round one win over Kaipara Flats.

Smith felt both sides could have scored more runs if they had have made better decisions at times.

In other Lion Red Cup round two matches, Kamo again came out on the wrong side of a close match as they lost by 21 runs to Kaipara.

Batting first, Kaipara were bowled out for 109 in what is their second week in a row of scoring below 150.

Kaipara's Kyran Dill top scored for the match with 38.

In response Kamo struggled their way to 88, a fair way off their first round respectable total of 258.

In the weekend's final game, Maungakaramea were easy victors over City as they claimed the win by 56 runs.

Leading the way for Maungakaramea was Neal Parlane and John Child who scored 64 and 58 in their side's score of 237 from 50 overs. Jessie Griffiths was the pick of the bowlers for City, claiming three wickets for 48.

However, City could manage only 181 in response as Griffiths again did the business for his team - scoring 57 runs from 63 balls, including eight fours. Also scoring a half century was Ian Page who managed 54 runs.

Maungakaramea's Josh Lee was the pick of the bowlers in taking 3 for 33 from his 10 overs, including three maidens.