Cricket: Bay of Plenty beat Hawke's Bay to win inaugural Howell Family Cup

After taking a win each in Saturday's two Twenty20 matches, it was an even playing field for Bay of Plenty and Hawke's Bay heading into Sunday's 50-over match

The two sides went to battle at the Tauranga Domain as part of a three-game preseason representative matches, with the inaugural Howell Family Cup up for grabs.

With each side taking a win each on Saturday, day two saw Hawke's Bay make use of the batting strip. Opening batsman Bayley Wiggins anchored the start while several wickets fell at the other end, to finish one short of a half-century.

The visitors' middle and lower order of Angus Schaw (35), Cullum Hewetson (24), Jayden Lennox (24) and Todd Watson (21) all made solid contributions, as Hawke's Bay were removed for 207.

Bay of Plenty required 3.81 runs per over for victory, but their first wicket fell for just seven. Stephen Crossan (40) and skipper Joe Carter (53) came together to produce a 94-run stand.

At 174 for the loss of five wickets, the home team appeared to have the game in the bag, however two further wickets without a run being added changed the momentum.

It was left to Ben Musgrave (42no) and Tauranga Boys' College youngster Taylor Bettelheim(13no) to steer their team home to a three-wicket win — and lift the Howell Family Cup.

This followed Saturday's game, which saw Hawke's Bay win the toss and go in to bat at the Tauranga Domain in the first encounter but the home side bowlers controlled much of the momentum restricting Hawke's Bay to 135/4.

A skipper's knock from Jake Smith produced an unbeaten 67 runs with the Bay of Plenty wickets shared around.

The Bay of Plenty top order cruised to a nine-wicket victory, with a 114-run opening stand put on from veteran all-rounder Jono Boult and Sean Davey. Boult, who made his Bay debut back in 2004, blasted an unbeaten 75 off just 42 balls with Davey posting 36 runs before being dismissed.

The hosts backed their first-innings performance and elected to bat in Saturday's second T20 match. They lost their first wicket with 49 runs on the board, before the Hawke's Bay bowlers struck back to take three wickets for just 12 runs. Boult (58no) and newly appointed captain Joe Carter (52no) then lashed out, to take their side through to 178 for the loss of four wickets.

Bay of Plenty's bowling was rewarded with two early Hawke's Bay wickets. Coming in at three, Dean Foxcroft took his side innings by the scruff of the neck, to take them home to a six-wicket win. Foxcroft hammered an unbeaten century, off just 53 balls, in a whirlwind attack which included six fours and eight sixes.
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Bay of Plenty v Hawke's Bay Pre-Season at Tauranga Domain
Saturday
Twenty20 Game One
Hawke's Bay 135/4 (Jake Smith 67, Cullum Hewetson 27) lost to Bay of Plenty 137/1 (Jono Boult 75no, Sean Davey 36, Joe Carter 20no)
Twenty 20 Game Two
Bay of Plenty 178/4 (Jono Boult 58no, Joe Carter 52no; Angus Schaw 2/22) lost to Hawke's Bay 179/4 (Dean Foxcroft 100no, Jake Smith 32no)
Sunday
Hawke's Bay 207 (Bayley Wiggins 41, Angus Schaw 35, Cullum Hewetson 24,
Jayden Lennox 24; Dale Smith 3/43, Peter Drysdale 2/9, Sean Davey 2/41) lost to
Bay of Plenty 210/7 (Joe Carter 53, Ben Musgrave 42no, Stephen Crossan 40,
Peter Drysdale 30; JFA Field 3/15, Dean Foxcroft 2/47)