Cricket: Central facing do or die fixture

The captain of Rotorua's top cricket team has labelled their match against Eastern Bay United as a must-win if they are to stay alive in the hunt for a semifinal birth.

Last weekend, the Central Cricket Club premier team were skittled for just 103 runs in their 50-over Williams Cup match against Mt Maunganui Cricket Club.

Central captain Peter Wood said they had to put that result behind them and their focus was on their chances of gaining a semifinal spot in March.

"You don't dwell on the result, it's just about getting back to the basics again. Getting back in the nets and getting some confidence," he said.

"It is a must-win game [this weekend] if we want to make the semifinals - that is what I'm using as motivation for the guys."

He said they had four games left and depending on other results they would need to win three to make the semis, in the eight-team competition.

Their game against Eastern Bay United will be held in Whakatane tomorrow, at Rex Morpeth Park.

Rotorua's BOP Indians Cricket Club will host Tauranga Boys College in search of their first Williams Cup victory tomorrow as well.

Meanwhile, defending Williams Cup title holders Eves Realty Greerton will face their second big test of the 2013 Baywide championship when they square off with Element IMF Cadets at the Tauranga Domain.

Nine Williams Cup titles since 1995 testify to the impact that the Tauranga Domain-based team has made in the pinnacle competition of Baywide cricket.

Long-time Cadets Premier team member Campbell Wilson showed that he is as dangerous as ever at the bowling crease, when he took a six wicket bag against East Bay United at the Tauranga Domain last weekend.

The former Bay representative who has dabbled with spin has returned to his medium pace attack with great success.

While Greerton has struggled with consistency against Cadets in recent seasons they have beaten their arch rivals on the past two occasions that the sides have clashed.

Te Puke sits at the top of the Williams Cup standings, with 20 points, one more than Cadets, after having posted an unbeaten start to the title race.

However, they will receive a real challenge to their undefeated start when Mount Maunganui pays a visit to the Te Puke Domain this weekend.

Te Puke bowler Jeremy Bates showed his all-round abilities when he blasted 134 not out against BOP Indians in Rotorua last weekend.

Mount Maunganui will be without Tony Goodin who is on Northern Knights duty and they will welcome back Peter Drysdale and Dale Swan from the Bay of Plenty team which won the Hawke Cup last weekend.

Williams Cup Draw Saturday February 2

Element IMF Cadets v Eves Realty Greerton, Tauranga Domain; BOP Indians v Tauranga Boys College, Smallbone Park; Te Puke v Mount Maunganui, Te Puke Domain; East Bay United v Central, Rex Morpeth Park.

Williams Cup table

• 
  Te Puke 20
• 
  Cadets 19
• 
  Mount Maunganui 14
• 
  Greerton 12
• 
  East Bay United 8, Central 8
• 
  Tauranga Boys College 2
• 
  BOP Indians 2