Cricket: Big role for high-flying Swan

Te Puke batsman Mitch McCann ducks a bouncer playing for Bay of Plenty against Northland last weekend. Photo / George Novak

Mount Maunganui spin bowler Dale Swan has been an integral part of Carrus Mount Maunganui's numerous championship titles in the last decade. While the Baywide Cup season has had to battle the elements during two of the three rounds of play, Swan leads the wicket tally with seven scalps in two completed games.

On Saturday he is likely to play a big role when Whakatane United pay a visit to Mount's headquarters at Blake Park. Mount Maunganui are top of the Baywide Cup leader board and a further win this weekend will push them closer to their first goal of securing a place in the Baywide Cup final to be played on the 13th December.

David Brent, who is attending the Ben Williams Cricket Academy at Te Puna, has made a big impression playing for Whakatane United. The Zimbabwe youngster has blasted an unbeaten half century and taken a five wicket bag in just two Baywide Cup encounters. However the major problem that the Eastern Bay side faces is the coming and going of players each week. A full strength Whakatane United would test Mount Maunganui, however the big unknown is who will front for the team.

Williams Cup titleholders, City Sports Bar Te Puke, will be desperate for victory at home against Rotorua Central, after two defeats in the opening rounds of the Baywide competition. Te Puke stalwart Stephen Crossan led the way last weekend, scoring his maiden premium century. However, standing in the way of a Te Puke victory is Central skipper Jason Trembath, who is in career best form. In the second round of last week's Twenty20 competition, Trembath smashed a half century off no more than a dozen or so balls.

Leading the Baywide Cup batting stakes is Element IMF Cadets Tom Boorman, with 115 runs in two innings. On Saturday, Cadets are at home at the Tauranga Domain for the first time this season, against Tauranga Boys' College. With both sides sitting in the top four, the winner will take a big step towards securing a place in the title decider in five weeks time.

Eves Realty Greerton are also at home at Pemberton Park and welcome Bay of Plenty Indians. With several top stroke players in Brett Hampton, Tom MacRury and Cam Neal, Greerton will be heavily favoured to repel the Rotorua visitors' challenge.

Baywide Cup

Draw, tomorrow: Element IMF Cadets v Tauranga Boys' College, Tauranga Domain; Carrus Mount Maunganui v Whakatane United, Blake1; Eves Realty Greerton v BOP Indians, Pemberton Park; City Sports Bar Te Puke v Central, Te Puke Domain.

Points: Carrus Mount Maunganui 43, Element IMF Cadets 36, Tauranga Boys College 35.5, Eves Realty Greerton 35.5, Whakatane United 24.5, Central 20.5, Te Puke 13, BOP Indians 7.