Cricket: Bay handily placed in struggle to retain title

Bay of Plenty Coastland are in a strong position to defend their ND Senior Secondary cricket title after the first day of the decider against Counties Manukau.

The Bay team lost the toss and were put into the field by Counties.

While the Counties side had success at the batting crease, Coastland and Tauranga Boys' leg spinner James Boyd kept the pressure on to grab six wickets, as Counties were removed for 235.

Otumoetai College bowler Christian MacDonald also performed with the ball to finish with two for 20.

At stumps on day one, Coastland were in a strong position, on 108 with eight wickets in hand. Prolific Bay Development batsman Ben Musgrave was dismissed for 64 late in the afternoon, with Coastland keeper Vaughan Wilson having a busy day, unbeaten on 36 at stumps.

The Bay of Plenty Lakeland team were also in good shape, after taking first-innings points from Poverty Bay in the playoff for fifth. The host team batted first, with the Lakeland side bowling Poverty Bay out for just 96. Taupo off-spinner Shannon McSkimming grabbed a five-wicket bag, with Sam Murdock taking 2-14.

While Lakeland were tested by the opposition bowlers, they made 136 all out to take the first-innings advantage. Michael Hargreaves top-scored with 36, while Eastern Bay's Rhys Keighley posted a handy 21.

ND Senior Secondary Cricket Tournament, Day 4:
Championship two-day match: Counties Manukau 235 (James Boyd 6-99, Christian MacDonald 2-20) v BOP Coast 108-2 (Ben Musgrave 64, Vaughan Wilson 36no).

Playoff for fifth: Poverty Bay 98 (Shannon McSkimming 5-36, Sam Murdock 2-14) & 48-1 v BOP Lakeland 136 (Michael Hargreaves 36, Rhys Keighley 21).