Cricket: Central open with statement

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Defending Lonestar Tauranga Twenty20 champions Rotorua Central laid down the challenge to the other contenders in the first round of the smash and bash title race on Saturday in Rotorua.

Batting first against Williams Cup titleholders City Sports Bar Te Puke, the Rotorua side posted a solid 160/6, with Jason Trembath giving the Bay selectors another positive signal after last weekend's century, with a hard-hitting 89.

Kyle Blanchard chipped in with a handy 27.

The Central bowlers ripped through the Te Puke batting order, with English player/coach Tahir Afridi taking four wickets for only four runs. Jamie Davies was a shining light at one end posting 44 runs, as Te Puke were removed for 91, handing the home side an easy win.

Eves Realty Greerton all rounder Charles Williams made his mark in Greerton's nine-wicket victory against BOP Indians, taking two wickets and smashing an undefeated 58 runs.

Rotorua Indians reached 97 for the loss of five wickets with Greerton cruising to victory for the loss of a solitary wicket.

Baywide heavyweights Carrus Mount Maunganui and Element IMF Cadets both posted first round victories. Cadets restricted Tauranga Boys' College to 124/6 and battled to a four-wicket win, while Mount Maunganui posted 141/9 before the Mount bowlers rolled the Eastern Bay side for 65.

Te Puke bounced back from their first-up loss to beat Whakatane United.

Te Puke club stalwart Stephen Crossan grabbed his maiden premier century, finishing with a neat 100 not out, as Te Puke reached 182/6.

The Eastern Bay team were removed for 120, with Joe Barrett top scoring with 62, while Josh Dwight and Jamie Davies took three wickets each for the victors.

Greerton restricted Tauranga Boys' College to 91/9, then coasted to a seven-wicket win, with Cam Neal taking three wickets and top scoring with 46 not out for Greerton.

Mount Maunganui won the Western Bay battle of the bridge beating Cadets by 26 runs, while Central joined Greerton and Mount Maunganui on two wins for the day after defeating BOP Indians.

Bay of Plenty Cricket results
Lonestar Tauranga T20 - Round One
• BOP Indians 97/5 (Charles Williams 2/9) lost to Eves Realty Greerton 98/1 (C Williams 58no)
• Tauranga Boys' College 124/6 (Gareth Wallace 61, Tom Wakelin 24no; Ben Christensen 4/16) lost to Element IMF Cadets 125/6 (B Christensen 69no; T Wakelin 2/13)
• Carrus Mount Maunganui 141/9 (Ben Guild 33, Nick Smith 31; J Whiteman 3/31, David Brent 2/22, Brent Sharma 2/41) defeated Whakatane United 65 (Alex Yates 25; Dan Hill 3/2)
• Central 160/6 (Jason Trembath 89, Kyle Blanchard 27) defeated City Sports Bar Te Puke 91 (Jamie Davies 44; Tahir Afridi 4/4)
Round Two
• City Sports Bar Te Puke 182/6 (Stephen Crossan 100no) defeated Whakatane United 120 (J Barrett 62; Josh Dwight 3/15, J Davies 3/25)
• Tauranga Boys' College 91/9 (G Wallace 21, Tom Renouf 21; Cam Neal 3/14, Murray Jarvis 2/10) lost to Eves Realty Greerton 95/3 (C Neal 46no)
• Carrus Mount Maunganui 142/8 (B Guild 55) defeated Element IMF Cadets 116/9 (Tom Sole 29no)
• Central defeated BOP Indians