Relegation worries now in past for North City players

North City’s premier cricket side have eased their relegation worries after a solid first day in their Pearce Cup match against Onslow on Saturday.

Winning the toss and bowling on the always-green Nairnville Park track, North City skittled the home side for 158. Hamish Kyne (3-57) and Craig Shanks (4-23) were the chief architects of the excellent effort in the field, and Kyne followed up with the bat, scoring 45.

Nick Walters was the cornerstone of Norths’ 224/9 by stumps, with 80.

It was a relief to take the crucial first innings points, because the side has struggled in the two-day format. In four matches they have taken just 22.13 points, after outright losses to Collegians and Naenae, a first innings loss to Easts, and draw with Petone.

Before Saturday they sat secondbottom, a mere two points above Upper Hutt.

‘‘ Getting first innings points [against Onslow] might even move us up in the table,’’ captain Russell Kyne said.

‘‘I was glad to win the toss – the covers had blown off during the week and there were some wet patches, so the pitch was a bit dodgy.’’

Their form was good before Christmas, he said, but since the resumption in January they had not played well.

It does not help that North City’s number two side was relegated from Hazlett to Senior 2 last season, meaning young players face a greater contrast in the level of cricket.

‘‘We are a young side, with guys coming through and it can be tough coming up to Pearce Cup. It means some of the older players need to be stepping up, and we’re not,’’ Kyne said.

Dewayne Bowden got a brilliant unbeaten 108 against Naenae, and Kyne got 82 against Collegians, but higher team scores are eluding them.

‘‘It seems one person is getting the runs, there’s no partnerships, so we need more of a team effort. This [versus Onslow] was one of those, so hopefully we can push on and get a result. It’s game- by- game at the moment and we’re looking forward to the last couple at home, where we haven’t been for a while.’’

After the Onslow game ends this weekend, North City have league leaders Karori and then Upper Hutt to finish the season.

Local hero: Gavin Mccarthy of Upper Hutt could be a contender to provide the first hometown win in the Karapoti Classic. Here he is in action here in the PNP Cycling Championships Super D Downhill in Wainuiomata recently.