Cricket: Eves Realty Greerton holds on to the Baker Cup beating Carrus Mount Maunganui in first Baywide Cup match

Nick Smith slides in for a safe run in the opening round of Baywide cricket between Carrus Mount Maunganui and Eves Realty Greerton. Photo / Andrew Warner

It was a tight match but Eves Realty Greerton have managed to hold on to the Baker Cup, defeating Carrus Mount Maunganui in a Baywide Cup match that went down to the last over.

Playing at Blake Park on Saturday, long-time Bay of Plenty representative batsman Peter Drysdale and new Mount Maunganui recruit Ben Pomare provided a 47-run partnership before the first wicket fell. Drysdale carried on to post his side's top score of 59, with Dominic Crombie and Dan Smith both reaching the 20s.

Matt Golding hit out late in the Mount's turn at the bat to post an unbeaten 26 with Mount Maunganui reaching 189/6. Dan Spencer, returning from a season break, was the best of the Greerton bowling attack, taking two wickets for 47 runs.

Greerton opener Nicholas Hendry anchored his team's reply, showcasing a full array of shots on his way to secure the top score with a sterling 73 runs. Drysdale (4/28) and skipper Dale Swan (3/21) tightened the screws to put real pressure on Greerton.

Entering the last over of the encounter, the match was on a knife-edge, with Greerton needing three runs to win with the last two batsmen at the crease. Jared Tutty was there at the end with an unbeaten 25 runs, as his side managed to squeeze past their long-time rivals.

In other Baywide opening day matches, defending Baywide Cup titleholders Element IMF Cadets had to overcome a tail-end fightback from New World Te Puke at the Tauranga Domain before securing a 21-run victory.

Gurwinder Singh, who heads the Cadets bowling attack, showed his skills with the bat to top score with a fine 56 not out as his side were removed for 198. Northern Districts all-rounder Sean Davey got his side away to a good start at the top of the innings with 47 runs. Christian MacDonald was the best of the Te Puke bowlers taking four wickets at a cost of 33 runs.

Te Puke Captain Stephen Crossan (46) was in solid form at the top of his side's innings, as wickets fell at the other end. The Cadets bowlers then ramped up the action with Te Puke in real trouble before Brody Gilroy (45) and Iman Singh (30) put together an 80-run stand for the eighth wicket.

However, Cadets prevailed to pick up the win points on offer, with Tauranga Boys College student Jacob Logan impressing with four wickets.

Bayleys Central Indians cruised to an easy 49-run victory against GM Painters Lake Taupo CC in their Lakeland region local derby played at Owen Delaney Park in Taupo. Batting first the Rotorua visitors were removed for 163, with their overseas player in Jake Rowe the best of their batting attack with 34 runs. Ryan Neves and Chris Tupea both posted identical totals of 27 runs apiece.

While the Lake Taupo side took a positive approach to their reply, Central Indians captain Steven Nicholls wrecked the home side's reply with five wickets at a cost of just 17 runs. The home team was bowled out for 114.

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Baywide Cup Round One, October 27:
Carrus Mount Maunganui 189/6 (RPO Drysdale 59, M Golding 26no, D Crombie 23, D Smith 20; D Spencer 2/47) lost to Eves Realty Greerton 190/9 (N Hendry 73, P Davenport 27, J Tutty 25no; RPO Drysdale 4/28, D Swan 3/21.
Element IMF Cadets 198 (G Singh 56no, S Davey 47; C MacDonald 4/33, M Leef 2/29, J Earle 2/55) defeated New World Te Puke 177 (S Crossan 46, B Gilroy 45, I Singh 30; J Logan 4/31, M Barclay 2/22, J Boult 2/22).
Bayleys Central Indians 163 (J Rowe 34, R Neves 27, C Tupea 27) defeated GM Painters Lake Taupo CC 114 (S Nicholls 5/17, J Rowe 2/19, P Gill 2/20).
Bond & Co Tauranga Boys College the bye
Points Table (Provisional):
Cadets 6, Greerton 6, Central Indians 6, Te Puke 0, Mount Maunganui 0, Lake Taupo 0.