Auckland Aces skipper Blair Pocock has taken an age to reach top form this season. On the first day of a two-day round of club cricket he scored 102 of Howick Pakuranga's 214 in a timely reminder that he possesses all the skill and determination of a player capable of solving some of the Black Caps' top-order problems.
Howick Pakuranga lost their first three wickets against University with just three runs in credit. With the University opening attack of Jonathon Lintott and Dean Blackwood gaining plenty of life from the Colin Maiden Oval wicket, Pocock, who opened the innings, had to draw on all of his vast skills and determination.
His fifth-wicket partnership of 108 with his club skipper, Rowan Armour (49), saved the eastern side's innings from a complete debacle, but the more important factor for Pocock was the much-needed time in the middle. University were 27-1 when play ended.
Grafton were well in charge in their match against Takapuna. Chasing 234, Takapuna had battled to 133-7 by the close.
Competition leaders Suburbs New Lynn might have been pleased to see the rain that brought their game against North Shore to a halt at the tea break. In-form Aaron Hooper (4-25), had carved up the westerners' top battling order and with Steve Sharp lending support they were dismissed for 92. Shore's reply was 52-3 when play ended.
Cornwall's opening attack, Dean Askew and Heath Davis, were lethal against East Coast Bays. Askew took four for three from 11 overs, and Davis took three to restrict Bays to 42 in reply to Cornwall's 177. The follow-on was enforced and Bays were 36-2 at the close.
In the second division, Ellerslie's lineup included Tom Hemmings, the 22-year-old son of former England spinner, Eddie Hemmings. Although he took 4-55 in Eden Roskill's innings of 155, Roskill were on track to gain their first win when they restricted Ellerslie to 130-8. The innings included an unbeaten 60 from big-hitting Kelvin Johanson.
Waitakere City won the first-innings battle against Papatoetoe and Birkenhead had a narrow edge against Parnell.
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