Defending Baywide Cup holders Eves Realty Greerton's opening bowlers ripped through the Element IMF Cadets top order at the Tauranga Domain on Saturday.
Even recuperating Black Caps allrounder Corey Anderson was unable to do anything to stop them, out for two as Cadets slumped to 18/6. Bay of Plenty quick bowlers Campbell Thomas and Tommy Clout made good use of a bowler friendly wicket. Thomas finished with notable figures of 4/9 with Clout taking 3/29. Clout was back off his long run on grass for the first time after a lengthy spell with a back injury and impressed with his pace and control.
Northern Knights batsman Joe Carter kept his team in the game with an extremely hard fought 68 as Cadets battled through to 103. The home side bowlers had some early success, before opening batsman Tom MacRury got Greerton home by seven wickets, with an unbeaten 53.
New World Te Puke surged to the top of the standings with a hard fought win over Carrus Mount Maunganui, in an encounter where 18 wickets fell in the days play. Mount Maunganui batted first and were bowled out for 121, with Mark Divehall top scoring with 38. Brody Gilroy grabbed a five wicket bag with former Mount club member Alex Gooding taking three wickets.
Te Puke lost their first four wickets early but Gooding rescued his side with the game's top score of 61. Te Puke got home with two wickets to spare with skipper Stephen Crossan contributing a valuable 34 runs, with Mount youngster Luke Tatley taking 3/19.
Bay of Plenty Indians won the toss and elected to bowl in the Rotorua derby with Bayleys Central at Smallbone Park. Central posted a big target of 259 and bowled the Bay of Plenty Indians out for 118.
Te Puke, Greerton and Cadets are the remaining genuine contenders to lift aloft the Baywide Cup in victory on December 19.
-Baywide Cup
Element IMF Cadets 103 (Joe Carter 68; Campbell Thomas 4-9, Tommy Clout 3-29) lost to Eves Realty Greerton 104/3 (Tom MacRury 53no; Sean Davey 2-19)
Carrus Mount Maunganui 121 (Mark Divehall 38, Tony Goodin 25; Brody Gilroy 5-43, Alex Gooding 3-42) lost to New World Te Puke 122/8 (Gooding 61, Stephen Crossan 34; Luke Tatley 3-19)
Bayleys Central 259 (Johnny Barrow 78, Jason Trembath 56; Yohann Irani 3-12) defeated Bay of Plenty Indians 118 (Magan Vashisht 27; Mark Chapmen 2-14, Trembath 2/16, Graeme Whiles 2-22). Cooney Lees Morgan Taranga Boys' College the bye.
Points
New World Te Puke 86, Element IMF Cadets 66, Eves Realty Greerton 66, Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys College 26, Bayleys Central 23, Bay of Plenty Indians 3, Carrus Mount Maunganui 3.