If young Max Trimble has never been called "Trembler" before, there's no doubt that the nickname was attached by some wag after a lethal spell of bowling saw him collect 7 for 20 against Kamo.
The twin-pronged pace attack of Trimble and Nick Stobart surely had the Kamo batsman shaking in their boots as the Zest Insurance Whangarei Boys' High School First XI took an almost unassailable lead in their Lion Red two-day match on Saturday.
Stobart (3-12) and Trimble demolished the fragile Kamo lineup, dismissing them for just 37 in 20.5 overs. Trimble's outstanding figures were a good reward for his accuracy and swing, even though he was bowling on a green early season wicket at the Kamo Rec.
WBHS had a point to prove in senior club cricket after being dominated in the previous week's match against Onerahi Central but fate was against them after they lost the toss and were sent in to bat.
Their openers, Kashmir Harypursat and Dave Armitt both played intelligent cricket and battled through to 38 without loss before Harypursat was dismissed. Armitt follow shortly afterwards but that brought Sam Clotworthy (23) and Ben Smith (42) to the crease to add 65 for the third wicket.
Kamo rallied and put pressure on the WBHS batsman. Sam Walker, Eden Crawford and Richie McPherson all bowled tidily, supported by attacking fields, and eventually strangled the WBHS players.
WBHS were was dismissed for 145, which soon proved to be a handy score on a wicket that offered seam and bounce for the bowlers.
Trimble and Stobart then cut loose and Kamo were unable to avoid the follow-on and batted again showing a little more resistance in getting to 60 for 3 at stumps.
At Cobham Oval, Maungakaramea won the toss and didn't hesitate to put City in on a good batting wicket. They had early success with Joe Yovich dismissed and City captain Ian Page soon followed. In-form Harry Darkins then quickly got on top of the Maungakaramea bowlers, hitting boundaries all around the ground on his way to 107 not out.
Unfortunately for City, nobody managed to stay with him long enough to build a meaningful partnership and they were all out for 217. Joe O'Sullivan (3-43) and Mike Harris (3-20) ended up with the best figures for the visitors.
Maungakaramea started confidently with openers Joe O'Sullivan (54) and Mark Southee (64) attacking early before both were out within a few overs of each other. Maungakaramea skipper Neal Parlane (20no) and former City stalwart Bert Horner were unbeaten at stumps to have the advantage in the match at 160 for 3.
In the final match at Kaipara Flats, the home side won the toss and bowled on a fresh wicket against Onerahi Central.
Kyran Dill (4-23) got the ball fizzing off a good length to catch a glove in the second over, before going on to claim the prize Onerahi scalp of Dewayne Bowden with a sharp catch off his own bowling.
Onerahi struggled through their innings, and were short on numbers forcing manager Barry Cooper to don the pads. Even with his efforts Kaipara rolled Onerahi for a paltry 74.
Kaipara's chase started slowly with two early wickets but with James Marshall combining with Rory Christopherson to put on a crucial partnership of 125, first innings advantage was assured. Marshall was later dismissed for 95, while Kaipara's wicketkeeper batsman was left unbeaten on 76, when Kevin Forde declared on 228/5.
The skipper then claimed 2-23 in the 15 overs left before stumps with Onerahi in trouble at 51/3.