United back to take on club elite

United are taking on the best sides in New Zealand at the national club one-day cricket championships in Auckland this week.

Palmerston North’s United last went to the tournament at Cornwall Park five years ago, when they finished last, but have won their way back as the Central Districts qualifier this season.

The tournament is for the oneday champions from each major association, so United will be playing Eastern Suburbs (Wellington), Takapuna (Auckland), Mt Maunganui (Northern Districts), Old Boys Collegians (Canterbury) and Albion (Otago).

United will be at full strength except for seamer Matt Ball, who has work commitments.

United won the Manawatu oneday and Twenty20 finals and were beaten in the two-day final.

There are four players remaining from the team that went in 2012 in batsman Robbie James, seamers Phil Mecredy and Cam Harris and all-rounder Sonpreet Singh.

While the tournament is known as a relatively social week, United captain Logan Mchardy was confident of having a good crack at the tournament.

‘‘We want to go up and do CD proud and put in a good effort,’’ he said.

There should be a couple of first-class players representing their clubs at the tournament.

United start the competition against defending champions Easts from Wellington today.

The competition runs until the weekend and playoff matches are on Sunday.