Ryder 'fine' but Naenae slump to heavy loss

BY SAM WORTHINGTON

Jesse Ryder made another small step forward in his return to cricket yesterday, scoring 22 for club side Naenae Old Boys.

It didn't stop high-flying Karori romping to a nine-wicket win, but Ryder declared himself satisfied with his half-hour at the crease.

"It was fine, I was feeling pretty good and got a few away," Ryder said.

On the comeback trail after surgery to his abdominal wall, Ryder didn't bowl after getting a clip around the ears for sending down 11 overs of medium pace against New Zealand Cricket orders last week.

It is expected the left-hander will play in Wellington's final two Plunket Shield games though he has been ruled out of the two-test series against Australia.

Naenae, who were skittled for 81 in their first innings, fared slightly better with 161 in their second but it left Karori just 45 for victory.

Karori will play Eastern Suburbs in next month's Pearce Cup final, and eight-time defending champions Easts also made short work of their opponents.

Easts racked up 293-3 declared in their first innings after knocking over Hutt District for just 84. Hutt managed 262 in their second but Easts strolled to their 57-run target.

It was runs galore at Linden Park, where Onslow batted on before eventually being bowled out for a whopping 518 in their first innings.

North City gave the chase for first innings points a good shake, reaching 438-7 as the match ended in a draw.

University's contest with Taita also ended in a stalemate. Taita declared at 256-9 after claiming first innings points from University (254 and 120-6).

In the Hazlett Trophy, runaway leaders Collegians had their feet up after trouncing Taita B in a day on Saturday.

Wellington College went close to a remarkable victory in their match against Karori B.

After being rolled for just 62 in their first innings, College returned the favour to skittle Karori for just 110.

College then posted 360 in their second bat and had Karori on the ropes at 180-8 before running out of time.

Johnsonville notched a six-wicket win over North City B to keep their finals hopes alive.

Johnsonville (185 and 203-4) conceded first innings points but Norths (244 and 162) were unable to sustain their effort.

One-day champions Petone-Riverside (225 and 158) picked up first innings points in their draw with Upper Hutt (213 and 42-3).

- © Fairfax NZ News