It was Christmas come early for batsmen in Wellington club cricket at the weekend as the sun continued to shine.

Normally that's not a problem but after last season when nearly every playing day before Christmas was rained out, there is all the more reason to be cashing in this summer.

What was especially pleasing from a representative point of view was the partnership building that was obvious in several of the games.

The most obvious example of that was in the Karori-University game in which several of the Karori batsmen got among the runs, none moreso than Nishan Gonsalkorale with 87, to build a total of 321.

Then University's openers Scott Golder (101 not out) and Matthew Bell (94 not out) had replied with 217 by stumps. Bell had every reason to feel delighted with his day's play, as he was the only bowler to make an inroad into Karori when he took 5-51.

Stokes Valley did even better when the third-wicket stand between former Auckland batsman Richard Jones (151) and Wellington opener Grant Donaldson (84 not out) put on 226 runs.

It was understood to be a club record for all wickets. Jones went from 100 to 150 in only 21 balls with some elegant strokeplay and the shot of the innings was described as a straight drive from Mike Hayman's bowling which still managed to pierce the field setting of a mid-on and a mid-off stationed on the boundary.

Donaldson, clearly relishing the chance for a good, long innings had seen former Northern Districts batsman Kyle Wealleans score 42 of their opening stand of 53.

Watching the Stokes Valley batting obviously didn't make too much of an impression on the Naenae Old Boys players as they bombed to 75-8. Matthew Walker took 3-24 while Paul Brennan 2-7 and Ben McQuay 2-18 also feasted on the Naenae innings.

Hutt Districts also used the conditions to advantage but faces a much tougher test to wrest the final advantage from Eastern Suburbs. Michael Blackmore with 112, Mark Jefferson 41 and Vince Serci 37 not out helped Hutt to 255-7 before the declaration to which Easts replied with 140-3. Joe Consedine was 50 not out and Carl McKenzie 26 not out.

In the Hazlett Trophy, Marcus Williams' 79 and Andrew Smith's 54 helped Wellington Collegians to 251-7 against Onslow who were 62-3 at stumps.

North City produced a consistency of scoring in its batting that will be welcomed for the season ahead to reach 316-6 declared. The highest score was Sam Fairley's 70. Upper Hutt was battling at stumps on 75-4.

Wainuiomata made 265-9 declared with Brad Kennedy posting 112 not out. Luke Woodcock took 3-78. Johnsonville in reply was 140-6 with Richard Trendle having scored 49.

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