A century and a six-wicket bag took centrestage on the opening day of the Bay of Plenty Baywide cricket season on Saturday.
Led by a majestic unbeaten century from Tauranga Boys' College mentor Mark Orchard, who teaches at the college, the Tauranga students posted 307/9 against East Bay United at Nicholson Field.
Orchard, who has played for the Northern Knights, came to the crease after his team had lost their first wicket with just five runs on the board. The Tauranga Boys' captain/coach blasted 146 from 171 balls to take control of the game in a superb knock after a watchful start against the pace and guile of Northern Knights pace bowler Graeme Aldridge.
When East Bay United master blaster Tom Yates fell cheaply early in his side's innings, the Eastern Bay visitors were set to struggle. It was left to Aldridge to steady his team, going on to top score with a gritty 46. Tauranga Boys' 136 run win was the most comprehensive victory of the four Western Bay teams that grabbed win points on the opening day of the season.
Mount Maunganui slow bowler Dale Swan mesmerised the BOP Indians batsmen, taking six wickets for just 11 runs, as the Mount cruised to an eight wicket win in Rotorua. Mount's new Northern Knights quick Tony Goodin removed the two openers before Swan weaved magic with the ball. The Mount reply was swift with Mike Corbett (40) and skipper Peter Drysdale (32no) taking the visitors to an eight wicket win.