Baywide Cup title race heats up

Carrus Mount Maunganui continue to lead the Baywide Cup title race but had a few hiccups on Saturday afternoon before comprehensively defeating Bayleys Central Indians at Smallbone Park in Rotorua.

The Western Bay of Plenty visitors batted first and dug themselves a big hole when they were six down with just 57 runs on the scoreboard.

Enter Blair McKenzie, who took control as he worked the ball around Smallbone Park, to lead his side to 236 all out with an unbeaten 100. Mount strike bowler Tony Goodin was also in good touch with 37 runs to his name.

Central Indians joint skipper Andrew Gibbs removed the Mount top order to finish with 3/55 with Declan Keaney also claiming three wickets.

The second innings belonged to long-time Mount Maunganui all-rounder Daniel Hill who grabbed a six wicket bag. Hill mesmerised the home side's batting to finish with 6-14 as Central Indians were rolled for 69.

Element IMF Cadets cemented second place on the standing with a three wicket win over New World Te Puke. Te Puke took first use of the wicket at the Tauranga Domain and got away to a good start, with Tai Bridgman-Raison (58) and Stephen Crossan (31) putting on a 62 run opening stand.

The visitors were bowled out for 180, with Christian MacDonald chipping in with a handy 29 runs. Josh Dwight took three wickets with Jono Boult returning 2/46.

Boult anchored the Cadets victory with a hard fought 62 as the home team got home with three wickets to spare. Jonty Grigson, Brody Gilroy and Alex Gooding took two wickets apiece for the visitors.

Eves Realty Greerton picked up a winning draw after failing to bowl Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys' College out, for an outright win. At 127/7, Greerton were in some trouble, however Jared Tutty (25), Murray Jarvis and James Boyd took the Pemberton Park-based side through to 190 all out.

First innings batting honours were taken by Cam Neal with 45 runs, with Rhys Mischewski and Dominic Crombie picking up three wickets apiece for Tauranga Boys'. The match ended with the Tauranga students reaching 139/8, with Tim Clarke top scoring with 52 while Marcel Collett contributed a handy 31.

Greerton pace bowler Brett Hampton was rewarded with four wickets with Jarvis taking two bowling scalps.

Bay of Plenty Cricket Results, November 5
Baywide Cup
Eves Realty Greerton 190 (Cam Neal 45, Jared Tutty 25; Rhys Mischewski 3/23, Dominic Crombie 3/41, Iman Singh 2/25, Sean Wakelin 2/39) winning draw from Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys' College 139/8 (Tim Clarke 52, Marcel Collett 31; Brett Hampton 4/15, Murray Jarvis 2/37)

New World Te Puke 180 (Tai Bridgman-Raison 58, Stephen Crossan 31, Christian MacDonald 29, Alex Gooding 22; Josh Dwight 3/36, Jono Boult 2/46 lost to Element IMF Cadets 182/7 (J Boult 62, Donovan Deeble 23, Ben Christensen 20, Morton Freer 20; Jonty Grigson 2/37, Brody Gilroy 2/39, Alex Gooding 2/47)

Carrus Mount Maunganui 236 (Blair McKenzie 100no; Declan Keaney 3/43, Andrew Gibbs 3/55) defeated Bayleys Central Indians 69 (Daniel Hill 6/14)

Points Table (provisional) Carrus Mount Maunganui 84, Element IMF Cadets 77, Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys College 45, Eves Realty Greerton 36, New World Te Puke 25, Bayleys Central Indians 14.