Karaka loss to Manukau a setback

Karaka must beat Papakura to stay in the hunt for Counties Manukau club cricket’s two day championship.

Day one of their local derby starts at the Karaka Sports Park on Saturday with the home side aware that a loss will almost certainly put paid to any hopes of laying their hands on the W. H. Taylor Shield.

They slipped to second in the standings after a first innings lose to Manukau in their rain affected third round match at War Memorial Park, Manurewa last Saturday.

Karaka have the toughest run home of the title contenders with Papakura and Pukekohe-Metro as their last two opponents.

Pukekohe-Metro leads the competition after a first innings win over Papakura who thanks to the washout were able to avoid what was shaping up as an embarrassing outright defeat.

They were rolled for 30 in the first innings and were 81-4 in their second chasing their visitor’s first innings total of 209.

Manukau, the defending champions, have the cushiest run home with Waiuku and United as opponents.

They’re at Massey Park, Waiuku for the next two Saturdays and are at home to United for the season finale.

SCOREBOARD

Points

Pukekohe-Metro 56, Karaka 53, Manukau 52, Papakura 37, Waiuku 24, United 16 Draw (Round four) Karaka v Papakura, Karaka Sport Park, Karaka, Waiuku v Manukau, Massey Park, Waiuku, United v PukekoheMetro, Mountfort Park, Weymouth. Date: February 25/March 4.