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With Grafton, North Shore, Waitakere and Papatoetoe all recording their first wins for the season on the weekend we’ll do a quick recap of the weekend’s matches and have a look at what is to come this weekend.

Firstly in one of many ‘indifferent’ results from the weekend with East Coast Bays going up against Takapuna in what people would assume to be a battle of the two best teams from the Shore. ECB could only manage to get to a measly 97 with Taka chasing it quite comfortably only 2 down. Ouch.

With the other 2 North Shore sides taking on each other, that too was looking to be a goody but again one side came out well and truly on top. North Shore batted first and scored a very nice 274/3 and in return Birkenhead could only manage 59 all out. That gave North Shore their first win of the season with no doubt more to come.

Papatoetoe took on a slightly new look Eden Roskill at Papatoetoe. The visitors batted first posting a more than useful target of 242/8 off their 50 overs. The home side did the job rather effortless chasing the target only 5 down with useful contributions from Caleb Brookland, Armrinder Sohal and Ollie Pringle.

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In a game of some of the 2 ‘lesser sides’ Waitakere took on Ellerslie. Waitakere batted first only putting on what seemed to be a very small target of 151. At the end of the day it was enough though as Ellerslie were bowled out just short of the line at 137 with former Auckland Aces player Dusan Hakaraia taking 4/15 with the ball.

Howick Pakuragna took on Cornwall and it seems that the Howick side this year aren’t showing much without the likes of their Blackcaps and Aces stars only managing 116 all out. Cornwall got there rather easily with a couple of bumps along the way chasing it 6 down. Overseas pro for Cornwall Michael Thornely yet again showing what a class act he is scoring 67 not out.

Parnell took on Grafton in what some would see as an easy beat for the Parnell side with Grafton not shaping up too well this year. Again this club competition in Auckland is throwing in more surprises with Grafton taking down Parnell quite nicely. Parnell were dismissed for 122 and Grafton chased it only 6 down with player coach Alan Burton notching up 62.

In the last but probably one of the better games over the weekend Suburbs New Lynn took on Auckland University. Suburbs batted first and posted a huge 303/6 and with their bowling attack, they would have felt more than happy defending that. Although University didn’t quite see it going that way, they put up a good fight and got to 290/9 off their overs with young all rounder Vishi Jeet scoring 71 and club stalwart Barrington Rowland also scoring 71.

With the 2 dayers starting this coming weekend here is the draw. This weekend will also be the first on grass for the season so the quicks will be dusting off the bowling boots no doubt and really be looking to steam in on some fresh green seamers this weekend.

Two-Day Championships – Round One

Hedley Howarth Trophy – Major Championship

The Fox Suburbs New Lynn v Howick Pakuranga – Lloyd Elsmore Park

ILG East Coast Bays v Harcourts Cooper & Co Birkenhead City – Windsor Park

Papatoetoe v Takapuna – Papatoetoe Recreation Ground

Auckland University v Parnell – Colin Maiden Park

Tom Hellaby Trophy – Minor Championship

North Shore v Ellerslie – Devonport Domain

Cornwall v New World Victoria Park Grafton United – Cornwall Park

New Balance Waitakere City v Eden Roskill – Te Atatu Park