Cricket: Drysdale ton powers Mount to victory

Mount Maunganui century maker Peter Drysdale.

Carrus Mount Maunganui master blaster Peter Drysdale smashed a century as the defending Williams Cup titleholders defeated Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys' College in a high-scoring encounter at Nicholson Field on Saturday.

Drysdale and Mount keeper Matt Golding put on a first-wicket partnership of 173 before Golding was dismissed for 66. Ben Musgrave joined Drysdale at the crease, with Mount Maunganui finishing their turn at bat at 259 for the loss of a solitary wicket. Drysdale was unbeaten on 131, with Musgrave finishing with 46 not out.

Drysdale's latest three-figure score took him past James Pamment's record number of centuries on the Mount Maunganui honours board.

Tauranga Boys' came out to bat unfazed by the big target and put bat to ball in a confident mood. At the first drinks break they were 83 for the loss of one wicket. When Charles Williams was dismissed for 65, Tim Clarke took up the challenge to belt 48 runs, including a huge six on to the roof of the scorer's shelter.

However, the Mount bowlers eventually removed the home side for 194. Chris Atkinson had the top figures of 3/21, with Drysdale bagging three wickets, and Dale Swan two wickets for 25 runs.

On the artificial wicket at Smallbone Park, Greerton batted first against Central in a game reduced to 46 overs per side and had to work hard to reach 159/9. Campbell Thomas, batting down the order, top-scored with 26, with Tom MacRury and skipper Shane Wineti both reaching the 20s. Central all-rounder Mark Chapman took 6/20.

The Greerton bowlers had the Rotorua hosts four-down with around 60 runs on the board. Led by a four-wicket bag from Wineti, Central were removed for 127 to give Greerton the victory. Greerton leggie James Boys grabbed 2/16.

Bay of Plenty Indians and Element IMF Cadets had a short sharp encounter at Fergusson Park. The Rotorua visitors were bowled out for 88, with ND A bowler Donovan Deeble taking three wickets. Englishman Tom Boorman anchored Cadets' nine-wicket win, top-scoring with 35, while Morton Freer posted a handy 24 not out.

Williams Cup:

Carrus Mount Maunganui 259/1 (Peter Drysdale 131no, Matt Golding 66, Ben Musgrave 46no) defeated Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys' College 194 (Charles Williams 35, Tim Clarke 48, Tom Renouf 26, James Hanson 24; Chris Atkinson 3/21, P Drysdale 3/25, Dale Swan 2/25)

Eves Realty Greerton 159/9 (Campbell Thomas 26, Tom MacRury 22, Shane Wineti 21; Mark Chapman 6/20) defeated Bayleys Central 127 (S Wineti 4/33, James Boyd 2/16)

Bay of Plenty Indians 88 (GS Gargan 31; Donovan Deeble 3/21) lost to Element IMF Cadets 89/1 (Tom Boorman 35, Morton Freer 24no). New World Te Puke the bye.