Cricket: Kamo in upset win over Kaipara

It has been several years since Kamo played in a final and six years since their last championship, but they caused a major upset in beating Kaipara Flats in the final of the 50-overs Mark Cromie Club Cricket final at Cobham Oval.

In what team spokesman Rhys Farrand described as a below par score on a good batting wicket, Kamo were dismissed for 147 in the 48th over on Sunday.

Kamo stalwarts Rhys Farrand (20), Jamie Millar (37) and club professional Dean Williams (28) were the main contributors in an otherwise disappointing total.

For Kaipara Flats, the consistent Joe Robbins took 3 for 19 and Michael O'Flaherty 3 for 35.

In reply, Kaipara Flats were well placed at 94 for 4 in the 35th over with No3 batsman Michael O'Flaherty well settled.

However, his dismissal for a very well compiled 56, opened the door for Kamo to increase the pressure, turn the screws and take an incredible 6 wickets for 10 runs to secure a remarkable victory.

Surprisingly on such a good wicket, it was Kamo's off spinners that caused the damage.

Young Eden Crawford and Jamie Millar bowled beautifully to take 2 for 18 and 3 for 23 respectively, whilst new ball bowler Logan Choat grabbed 1 for 20 off his 10 overs.

Farrand said the victory became possible after the dismissal of O'Flaherty, and from then on "we bowled tightly, chipped away and the pressure told."

For Kaipara Flats, they have the consolation of winning two of the three titles so far this year and are well placed to be the top qualifier in the two-day championship. However, they cannot complete an unprecedented clean sweep of all four of Northland's titles.