Carl Frauenstein took the long handle to Howick Pakuranga's Dean Wedlake in a late burst which enabled East Coast Bays to get up to win the crucial last round match in the Auckland one-day competition.
In a productive flurry, Frauenstein's lusty blows helped Bays to a respectable 231 from 49 of
their 50 overs. The 20 runs he took in that last over before holing out proved invaluable. In reply, Howick Pakuranga, with contributions from Ryan Shera, Brooke Walker and Marc Ellison were always in the chase.
Needing a six from the last ball to win, the easterners fell short but will still go through to Sunday's semifinals after edging out Waitakere City.
Meanwhile, top teams Grafton and North Shore left their A game at home. Leaders Grafton managed only 145 in 43.4 overs at Te Atatu Park with Glenn Critchley's half century the only half-decent contribution as Corey Todd bagged 5-23. Waitakere made hard work of the chase eventually getting home with six wickets and three overs in hand.
North Shore fared even worse at Devonport when dismissed for a measly 135 in 45 overs as Gareth and Lance Shaw and Jamie Graham all picked up three wickets. Papatoetoe raced to victory in the 28th over for the loss of only three wickets with Will Jefferson and Ash Clarke unbeaten at the close.
