Cricket: Mount beat key rivals in run-fest

Tai Bridgeman-Raison scored another century on Saturday against Mount Maunganui.

In spite of a hard fought century from long-time New World Te Puke player Tai Bridgman-Raison, the home team went down to arch-rivals Carrus Mount Maunganui in a high-scoring clash at the Te Puke Domain on Saturday.

Te Puke took first use of the batting strip and posted Mount Maunganui a solid target of nearly five runs per over after they were dismissed for 241. Bridgman-Raison was in superb touch with the bat and blasted the ball to all confines of the Te Puke Domain before being removed for 122. The century saw him join legendary Te Puke, ND and Black Caps player ADG (Andy) Roberts with the most centuries for the Te Puke premier team.

Mount Maunganui weren't fazed by the solid target and took to the Te Puke's bowlers from the opening ball. The Mount top order of Ben Musgrave and Peter Drysdale both belted half centuries. Blair McKenzie (56no) and Dan Hill (32no) then put on a winning partnership as Mount Maunganui got home for the loss of just three wickets.

Element IMF Cadets joined Mount Maunganui at the top of the Williams Cup standings after they beat Baywide Cup titleholders Evers Realty Greerton at Mitchell Park. Greerton batted first and were bowled out early for just 111, with Chris Norton (4/33) and Ben Christensen (3/4) doing the damage with the ball.

The Greerton bowlers fired into their task with plenty of enthusiasm and made the Cadets top order fight for runs. Tom Boorman top scored with a gritty 21 to help Cadets home for the loss of five wickets. Dan Spencer was the best of the Greerton bowling attack taking 3-28.

Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys' College kept their chances of a Williams Cup playoff berth alive by chasing down the Bayleys Central target at Smallbone Park in Rotorua. The home side were dismissed for 175, with Graeme Whiles posting his team top score of 42. Calem Taylor was the pick of the Tauranga Boys' bowling attack grabbing 4-24.

Bay of Plenty batsman Tim Clarke anchored Tauranga Boys' charge for victory smashing 72 runs, while fellow teacher Charles Williams was also in touch with a solid 47 runs. Boys' College got home with four wickets to spare and now sit fourth equal on the Williams Cup standings with Greerton.

Williams Cup:

Eves Realty Greerton 111 (Chris Norton 4/33, Ben Christensen 3/4) lost to Element IMF Cadets 114/5 (Tom Boorman 21; Daniel Spencer 3/28, Josh Bates 2/31).

Bayleys Central 175 (Graeme Whiles 42; Calem Taylor 4/24) lost to Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys' College 176/6 (Tim Clarke 72, Charles Williams 47).

New World Te Puke 241 (Tai Bridgman-Raison 122) lost to Carrus Mount Maunganui 242/3 (Blair McKenzie 56no, Ben Musgrave 56, Peter Drysdale 51, Daniel Hill 32no).

Points table: Carrus Mount Maunganui 27, Element IMF Cadets 27, New World Te Puke 21, Eves Realty Greerton 15, Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys' College 15, Bay of Plenty Indians 3, Bayleys Central 0.