Bayleys Central Indians remain rooted to the bottom of the Baywide Cup standings after a nine-wicket loss to New World Te Puke.The win yesterday saw Te Puke leapfrog Eves Realty Greerton, who sat out the bye, to move into second spot.
Central Indians were bowled out for 173 at the Te Puke Domain, with Stephen Nicholls' 66 runs shining out like a beacon. Te Puke bowler Justin Scott did plenty of damage taking four wickets for just 15 runs.
Te Puke captain Stephen Crossan went on a one-man batting assault to hammer an unbeaten 101 off 91 balls. His batting partner for most of the innings, Brody Gilroy, was patience personified as he worked his way to 32 not out, with Te Puke's win coming in the 42nd over.
Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys' College's victory over Carrus Mount Maunganui provided them with the ideal warm-up for their appearance in the NZ Cricket First XI Cup National Finals in Palmerston North.
The students batted first and were dismissed for 168. Top scorer Ben Pomare fell one short of a half-century, while Mount skipper Dale Swan and Tony Goodin did the damage with the ball taking three wickets apiece.