North City are the new leaders of the Dominion Post Premier competition.

Norths have gone to the top of the standings courtesy of a six-wicket win over defending one-day champions Naenae Old Boys in Saturday's fifth round set of matches, played in gloriously sunny conditions.

Karori have taken second spot behind Norths, beating Eastern Suburbs by 9 runs, and also leapfrogging previous leaders Hutt Districts who were defeated by 6 wickets by Onslow.

At Trentham Memorial Park, Norths reached Naenae's score of 207 with eight overs to spare. Opener Michael Pollard (64) and captain Ben Jansen (54 not out) guided them home after former wicket-keeper Michael Martin took 3 for 23 and returning BLACKCAP Jesse Ryder scored 23 in Naenae's innings.

At Kilbirnie Park, Karori scored 166 batting first (Jone Sole 48, Ricky Joseph 3 for 29, Jeetan Patel 1 for 28), and held on to beat Pearce Cup holders Easts who fell short on 157. Lee Edwards proved the match winner for Karori, taking 4 for 22 off 10 overs including the wicket of Easts' top-scorer Scott Golder for 65.

It was also close at Endeavour Park. Onslow prevailed with three overs to spare against Hutt Districts. State Wellington Firebirds' captain Matthew Bell top scored with 78 in Hutt's 225, but Neal Parlane (79 not out) and Stewart Rhodes (79) both went one better in Onslow's successful run chase.

Taita enjoyed a seven-wicket over Upper Hutt in their neighbourly clash at Fraser Park, reaching their victory target of 108 in the 29th over. Earlier, Aaron Pennell (4 for 340 and Andrew Sturt (3 for 20) had combined to dismiss Upper Hutt.

The Dominion Post Senior competition is proving to be just as close after five rounds, one point separating the leading four teams and seven points the difference between first and last.

University have slipped from first to fourth behind Petone-Riverside, Johnsonville and Wellington College, after being defeated by Petone by nine wickets.

Batting first at Stradden Park, University were dismissed for 139 (Tom Hyslop 4 for 27, Iain O'Brien 2 for 15) with Petone reaching their target off 30.1 overs (Tom Hyslop 81).

State Wellington Firebirds' all-rounder Luke Woodcock enjoyed a memorable day for Johnsonville at Alex Moore Park against Collegians, snaring 3 for 35 with the ball as Collegians were dismissed for 118 and then top scoring with 62 and bringing up 4,000 career club runs along the way.

At Kilbirnie Park Firebirds all-rounder Harry Boam ripped through the North City second eleven taking 5 for 11, as Norths fell 27 runs short of Wellington College's 189.

At Fraser Park, Wainuiomata successfully defended 213-9 against Taita B (Brad Kennedy 71), restricting Taita to 98 in reply (Sean French 4 for 15).

Meanwhile in Senior Women's cricket, Onslow (144) held on to beat Hutt Districts (141).