Karori bounce back

Karori have overcome a sub-par batting innings to hold the advantage heading into day two of the three-day Wellington premier club cricket final against defending champions Eastern Suburbs at the Petone Recreation Ground.

Easts won the toss and made the most of good early bowling conditions by knocking Karori over for 154, Ricky Joseph snaring 5-70 from 21 overs, Richard Gilhooly taking 2-9 off nine overs and skipper Lance Dry 3-15 from 8.2 overs as the top qualifiers made an impressive start in their quest for an eighth successive title.

Only Simon Allen (47) and fringe Firebird Stephen Murdoch (30) were able to contribute anything of note for the challengers.

However, opening bowler Sunny Chan and captain Simon Baker led the Karori fightback as Easts lost regular wickets to be struggling at 106-8 a third of the way through the match.

"We're very happy with that," Baker said. "We obviously didn't bat as well as we would have liked to they got by far the better of the conditions but it's looking good."

Chan finished the day with 3-12 from 12 overs, while Baker did a superb job into the blustery wind, rpping through the middle order with 5-30 from 12 overs.

"I'm pretty happy with that not bad for an old man really," Baker said. "I don't really like bowling into 80kmh headwinds but you've got to bar up and do it. I was pretty happy to get the likes of Lance [Dry] and [Scott] Golder out."

Easts will be hoping their last two wickets can get them close to Karori's total this morning but either way Baker acknowledged Karori's second turn at bat would have to be much better.

"We have to bat close to all day. If we get 250 in front, we'll win the game."

Meanwhile, batting appeared much easier on a neighbouring pitch as University posted a competitive first innings total against Johnsonville in the senior final. Hamish Evans rescued his team from early trouble at 20 for four with a fine 116 as University posted 268. Johnsonville, who need only a draw to win the title, were 54-1 at stumps on what looks to be a tough wicket for the bowlers.

- © Fairfax NZ News