Outstanding tenth-wicket stand

Ellerslie thought they had Waitakere City at their mercy at lunch on the opening day of the fourth round of Auckland club cricket on Saturday when the westerners were reeling at 138-9, but somehow the expected grip on the game turned completely turtle.

When the innings finally closed at 312 just over two hours later two young men on their way to better deeds had added 174 for the tenth wicket.

Blair White (81 not out) and Shanthan Naidu (82), who also form part of the opening attack, literally smashed the Ellerslie bowlers to smithereens, White facing 117 balls and Naidu 82 with not one six being counted in the partnership.

But batting was not White's last deed for the day. The 19-year-old took 3-13 as Ellerslie struggled to 78-5.

Takapuna which occupies last spot on the ladder, surprised champion side Cornwall by piling on 228 against a strong attack led by Heath Davis, but it was mainly due to the prolific Danny Todd who piled on his second century of the season.

At 86-5 when the day closed Cornwall will have to bat a good better if they are to remain in contention.

Suburbs New Lynn batted evenly and scored 241 against East Coast Bays with the main contributors reject Auckland wicketkeeper, Reece Young and Damon Cederman. Bays had reached 66/3.

Dave McGuigan scored 77 in North Shore's innings of 248 but it was their older statesmen, Steve Sharp, who took the day's honours with an innings of 34 and a bag of 4-25 as Grafton struggled to 73-5..

Auckland selector, Rowan Armour, who doubles as Howick Pakuranga's skipper, had to hold his side together with an innings of 74, especially in the face of an attack led by Simon Dykes, son of New Zealand selector, Ross Dykes.

And it might prove to be enough with Parnell 42-3.

Eden Roskill scored 229 against University Akarana, which was 65/3 in reply, and first grade leader, Birkenhead reached 307/7 against Papatoetoe after Michael Clarke batted through the innings for his twentieth premier century and a delightful innings of 94 by their English professional, Ashley Wright.

Scores were :Premier. - (Round 4, day 1 of 2) Takapuna 228 (D Todd 131; H Davis 4-26, S Ranchhod 3-67) v Cornwall 86-5 (M Powell 30). Suburbs New Lynn 241 (D Cederman 56, R Young 44, T Regan 37no; M Haslam 4-42, C Brown 3-70) v East Coast Bays 66-3. North Shore 248 (D McGuigan 77, M Hart 38, G Andrews 35, S Sharp 34; G Coleman 4-62, A Fuller 3-35) v Grafton 73-5 (Sharp 4-25). Howick Pakuranga 216 (R Armour 74, S Marra 32; S Dykes 5-65) v Parnell 42-3.

First grade Eden Roskill 229 (H Comer 74, D Bruce 41; M Davies 4-40) v University Akarana 65-3 Birkenhead 307-7 dec (M Clarke 105no, A Wright 94, G Thorpe 40; C Boroughs 3-68) v Papatoetoe Waitakere City 312 (S Naidu 82, B White 81no, R Pudney 42, C Todd 33; M Cribbins 5-55) v Ellerslie 78-5 (Cribbins 36; White 3-13).

Auckland Women's First Grade (One-dayers) Papatoetoe 141 in 39ov (K Moore 37, T Bryce 36; H Haycock 3-38) lost to Cornwall 142-2 in 31ov (N Pratt 64no, K Hill 38no) North Shore 234-9 in 50ov (E Komp 73, K Hawkins 39; N Scripps 3-21) bt University Akarana 136-7 in 50ov (R Potter 48, B Manners 3-17). Grafton v Parnell postponed.