Riccarton, for the first time this season, failed to register its maximum points return, when headed on the first innings by St Albans in the two-day match played over the weekend. All it took was a solitary point for the draw.
Old Boys, which has had the bye, which Riccarton has yet to have, headed Old Collegians, while East Christchurch-Shirley also registered its claim, moving into third after a 16-pointer against Sydenham.
Lancaster Park-Woolston's match against Burnside West-University finished in a tense draw with injured No. 11 Mark Coster batting with one hand for an over to deny the combined side success.
HSOB left Old Collegians 174 to win at about four an over on Elmwood Park, the first time the wicket has been used this season.
The home side started slowly, but gradually accelerated, although losing wickets regularly with Hamish Wardrop making advances with his medium-pacers. The extra pace of Shane Bond polished off the tailenders, leaving Old Collegians 21 runs short.
Earlier, Old Boys opener Andrew Robertson impressed by top scoring in both innings, while Tim Walton was the pick of the Old Collegians batsmen in its first innings, which fell 35 runs short of the visitor.
Set to make 185 in three hours, Sydenham finished 20 runs short against the home side at Burwood Park. A fine attacking innings from Hamish Barton, who struck 72 off 90 balls, set Sydenham on the way, but when he fell at 101 the innings crumbled.
Final pair Ben Roiri and Stephen Hartel defied the East attack for 27 minutes until Hartel fell to a running catch by David Grocott with five overs left.
Ryan Burson worked up fine pace for East and Roiri bowled medium pace effectively for Sydenham in two long spells, bagging five wickets in the East first innings. Scott Pawson was the pick of the East-Shirley batsmen, top scoring in both its innings. A poor first innings batting display meant Riccarton conceded first innings points against St Albans at Hagley Oval No. 3. But St Albans kept batting on after passing Riccarton's score five wickets down early on the second day, Richard Preston spearheading the assault.
It batted on until dismissed at lunch, just 50 runs ahead, which effectively killed any hopes of an outright result. Riccarton used the second innings for batting practice, which Robbie Frew and Gary Stead found productive, both posting half-centuries.
Lancaster Park-Woolston made most of the play in its match against Burnside-West University, but just failed to take full points at Burnside Park. The home side was set 172 to win and when young English professional Aaron Laraman struck a bold 43 from 52 balls, with sevens fours and a six, it tipped the scales toward Burnside. But his dismissal to the second of two outstanding diving outfield catches by Mark Stewart brought Lancaster Park-Woolston right back, with off-spinner John Stuart making regular inroads until being held up in the closing two overs.
Park took first innings points in the game, which did not start on the first day until 1pm, after water got under the covers.
Short scoreboards
Lancaster Park 166-9 dec. and 120-6 dec. drew with Burnside West-University 115 and 148-9 (J Stuart 5-42)
Riccarton 143 and 263-7 (R Frew 61, G Stead 53) drew with St Albans 193 (R Preston 67; G Foulkes 5-25)
East Christchurch-Shirley 186-7 (S Pawson 65; B Roiri 5-61) and 121-7 dec. beat Sydenham 123-7 dec. and 165 (H Barton 72; R Burson 5-44), by 20 runs
HSOB 210-5 dec. (A Robertson 86) and 138-6 beat Old Collegians 175 (T Walton 62) and 153 by 21 runs.
Points after five rounds: Riccarton 65, HSOB 44, East-Shirley 37, Burnside-West 25, Lancaster Park-Woolston 21, Old Collegians 18, Marist 16, St Albans 8, Sydenham 5.