Cricket: Greerton sneak home by six runs

Greerton pace bowler Tommy Clout took three wickets against Cadets in the Baywide Cup final on Saturday. Photo / Andrew Warner

The Bay of Plenty Cricket record books will show that Eves Realty Greerton defeated Element IMF Cadets in the 2015 Baywide Cup final at Pemberton Park on Saturday.

But what history will not show is the intensity of an absolute nail-biter that saw Greerton sneak home by six runs.

Cadets won the toss and asked the home side to bat first on a track that looked bowler friendly. The decision quickly paid dividends when they grabbed three cheap wickets.

However, opener Tom MacRury dug in at one end as his teammates came and went. MacRury was patience personified, carrying his bat to finish with an unbeaten 128 alongside his name.

Greerton were dismissed for 224, with one over remaining in their turn at bat. Bay of Plenty representative all-rounder Sean Davey took 4/45, with the other Cadets bowling scalps shared around.

Cadets were quickly in trouble, losing their first three wickets with less than 20 runs on the board.

Cadets middle order of skipper Scott Steward and Northern Knights Jono Boult toughed it out in the middle to get their side well and truly back in contention. Steward top scored with a solid 66 with Boult reaching 41.

With one ball remaining Cadets needed six runs to tie the match but Greerton bowler Tommy Clout held his nerve. Young Greerton offspinner Harrison Perry grabbed the key wickets of both Steward and Boult as he returned figures of 3/42 runs, with paceman Clout also taking three wickets.

Greerton not only won back-to-back Baywide Cups but also earned the Bay of Plenty berth in the Northern Districts Club Championships that begin in January.

Meanwhile Carrus Mount Maunganui continued their December resurgence in the Baywide Cup, finishing in third place after beating New World Te Puke. Led by a gritty 75 from Matt Golding, the Mount side was removed by the Te Puke bowling attack for 240.

Te Puke were finally bowled out for 209. Te Puke captain Stephen Crossan top scored with a fighting 76 with Scott Talbot chipping in with a handy 37.

-Baywide Cup final

Eves Realty Greerton 224 (Tom MacRury 128no; Sean Davey 4/45) defeated Element IMF Cadets 218/7 (Scott Steward 66, Jono Boult 41; Harrison Perry 3/42, Tommy Clout 3/59)

Third place playoff

Carrus Mount Maunganui 240 (Matt Golding 75, Logan Dench 48no, Ben Musgrave 32) beat New World Te Puke 209 (Stephen Crossan 76, Scott Talbot 37)