A stoic innings from Bay of Plenty captain Peter Drysdale has put his team in a good position at stumps on day one of their three-day Hawke Cup defence against Nelson at Bay Oval.
Drysdale batted through the whole day to be 83 not out, with Bay of Plenty in a strong position at 284 for the loss of four wickets.
Drydale won the toss and elected to bat. He and Tom MacRury got the home side away to a solid start, reaching the 84-run mark before MacRury was run out for 54. Northern Knights batsman Joe Carter joined the Bay of Plenty skipper at the crease and the pair took the Bay through to 93/1 at lunch.
Drysdale and Carter took control of the Nelson bowling attack after lunch and added 82 runs before the tea adjournment. The pair continued after tea, until Carter was caught by Willem Ludick off the bowling of Joe O'Connor for 105.
The Bay number three's innings contained 12 boundaries and two over the picket fence. Carter's century was the Bay of Plenty's fifth ton in three Hawke Cup Direct Challenges in 2017.
Nelson struck back late on day one, removing Yorkshire professional Alex Lees for 21 and Ben Musgrave for 0.
Hawke Cup Challenge, Day One
Bay of Plenty 284/4 (JF Carter 105, RPO Drysdale 83no, TJ MacRury 54, AZ Lees 21) at stumps