Tough games expected in Whangārei premier cricket today

Kamo Keeper Dylan Clark watches closely as Kaipara Flats batsman Rory Christopher takes aim in last Saturday's Whangārei Premier Cricket round. Photo / Tania Whyte.

This weekend's premier club matches see Whangārei Boys' High School take on a strong Kaipara Flats side on K4 at Kensington Park.

WBHS will welcome Sam Sweeney, their overseas pro, into the fold and he will be expected to make an immediate impact. They will also rely on Luke Trigg, Sam Webb and Kurt Oldridge to do the bulk of the scoring with Cale Pooley and Brandon Peck being responsible for containing the KFCC batsmen.

Kaipara Flats, although missing key players in Ollie White, Matt Taylor and Brett Randell, will still be a force to be reckoned with and their experienced players including Rory Christopherson, Mike O'Flaherty and Simar Virk will no doubt feature. Kaipara Flats are red-hot favourites. In the second match of the premier round, a red-hot Maungakaramea play Onerahi Central at Maungakaramea.

The Page brothers, Ian and Chris, are both in superb form and Neal Parlane, Mark Southee, Carl Tomich and Bert Horner also add some solidarity in the top order. The Maungakaramea side will need to front up though, against a good OCCC side. OCCC, having had their overseas players now arrive, are always a tough side and their key players in Tom Herman, Todd Beehre and Jarod McLeod will be keen to continue their good form.

Although favourites, Maungakaramea will have a tough battle on their hands to get the points. The third and final game of the round is between Kamo and City. This is probably the most intriguing game of the round and although favourites, Kamo will need to be on point, in all facets, if they are to beat a defiant City. Ben Hyde, Bruce Martin, Nathan Parkes and Billy Alexander-Crawford will be expected to contain City's talented top order batsmen; Stacy Hyndman, Harry Darkins and Calum Gegg.

In turn, City will need their bowlers to keep the Kamo batsmen in check and this will make for a fascinating day's cricket. Kamo are favourites but City will be up for a tough battle.

In reserve grade, Kamo HS take on Bream Bay at KHS. Bream Bay have been playing well and will be tough to beat but KHS always a few tricks up their sleeve when they play on Roger Turner Oval.

Kamo play City at Tikipunga and they will be looking upset a strong City team. Joseph Yovich, having scored three centuries in a row, will no doubt be a feature when opening the batting and to have any hope, Kamo must be up for the fight. Kerikeri will play Maungakaramea in Kerikeri and both teams would love to secure points in this match – Kerikeri will be favourites at home.

In the final match of the round, OCCC play WBHS. OCCC have been a little off the pace so far this season but their experience will see them as favourites against an enthusiastic WBHS unit.