DESPITE a lower order collapse, Howick Pakuranga premier cricket captain Jamie Newth believes his side is in the box seat in their two-day Auckland club match against Eden-Roskill.
Seeing off the new ball and getting through the first session of play without too much damage was vital to Howick Pakuranga posting a good total.
At lunch things were looking good for the home side as they put on 60 runs while only being one wicket down.
It allowed the middle order to bat more positively in the afternoon session, when they pushed through to 207-4 with Luke Vivian (78) and Reza Fuard (43) providing the majority of runs.
Looking to set themselves up for an early declaration just after tea to make use of the bowler friendly conditions, Howick Pakuranga lost quick wickets to be all out for 241.
In the field Howick Pakuranga were able to pick up one Eden-Roskill wicket to fired up Auckland Aces seam bowler Andy McKay before the weather (rain) intervened, with Eden-Roskill 22-1 at the end of the first day.
Although Newth says his side was aiming for 50 more runs, he’s confident Eden-Roskill still won’t be able to chase down their total.
“While the lower order collapse was disappointing, that total should be too much for Eden-Roskill if we bowl well,” says Newth.
“Credit must go to Reza Fuard and Greg Morgan for laying the platform and then Luke Vivian and Aaron Arnold for pacing their innings well.”
Play resumes on Saturday, while Howick Pakuranga play Grafton United in the quarterfinal of the limited-overs Jeff Crowe Cup at Victoria Park on Sunday.
Howick Pakuranga leads the Blue Section of the two-day Hedley Howarth Trophy.
