Cricket: Mount, Cadets edge to Cup decider

Nick Earl and Joe Carter cross for a run. Photo / John Borren.

Defending champions Mount Maunganui and Element IMF Cadets have taken large steps towards reaching the Baywide Cup decider after contrasting results on Saturday.

Cadets failed to grab an outright victory over long-time rivals Eves Realty Greerton, but took the main share of the points after dominating much of the 110 over contest.

Cadets batted first at Pemberton Park and looked on track for a big total with the top order firing.

Ben Christensen, who must surely now come into contention for the Bay of Plenty side set to play Northland this weekend, led from the front with a captain's knock of 114, while Joe Carter chipped in with 72. Nick Earl continued the momentum and was rewarded with 75 runs as his side compiled a huge 334/7.

The target proved too much for the home side, which will be left to rue an earlier loss to Te Puke and a match washed out by rain. They struggled through to 231/9 in their allotted overs - doing more for the title hopes of Mount Maunganui than that of either team on show at Pemberton Park.

Cam Neal was the best of the Greerton batting attack with a half century, while Kent Hodder and Brett Hampton both reached the thirties before losing their wickets.

Eighteen wickets fell in a low-scoring thriller in the Eastern Bay of Plenty between East Bay United and Mount Maunganui.

East Bay United batted first at Rex Morepeth Park and made a solid start, with opener Stephen Ford in good touch with a patient 49.

However, the Mount bowlers went about their task in earnest, removing the home side for what looked to be a modest 132.

Tony Goodin was the chief destroyer, claiming five scalps, with Nick Smith picking up three victims including his one hundredth wicket for the club.

Led by Northern Districts fast bowler Graeme Aldridge, the home team quickly had the defending champions in trouble.

When Mount opener Tim Clarke fell for 27, the Mount were in desperate strife at 88/7. A fighting partnership between Alex Gooding (23) and veteran pest Smith (21no), who played against Aldridge for the first time after lining up beside the former Mount quick as a teenager, turned the tide.

Smith played a patient, clever innings to see his side home; seeing off the excellent Aldridge while Gooding teed off at the other end.

The partnership ended just three runs from victory, leaving a Dale Swan french cut and a Smith leave that found its way on to the fielding team's spare helmet to finish the job.

City Sports Bar Te Puke cruised to a comfortable victory over Tauranga Boys' College, with Bay of Plenty senior representative coach/player Ben Williams in outstanding form. Tauranga Boys' were removed for 139 with Williams returning 6/48 to put himself very much in the mind of the Bay selectors.

Luke Aldersley continued his good run of form with the bat, top scoring for the students with a gritty 40.

Poverty Bay representative Scott Tallott led the Te Puke victory with 40 runs, with Tai Bridgman-Raison (39) and Ben Williams (22) also making solid contributions in the eight wicket win.

Central won the Rotorua local derby against BOP Indians at Smallbone Park.

Bay of Plenty cricket results, November 16, 2013

Baywide Cup

Tauranga Boys' College 139 (Luke Aldersley 40, Gareth Wallace 28; Ben Williams 6/48) lost to City Sports Bar Te Puke 140/2 (Scott Tallott 40, Tai Bridgman-Raison 39, B Williams 22)

East Bay United 132 (Stephen Ford 49; Tony Goodin 5/30, Nick Smith 3/35) lost to Mount Maunganui 136/8 (Tim Clarke 26, Alex Gooding 23, N Smith 21no; Graeme Aldridge 4/40)

Element IMF Cadets 334/7 (Ben Christensen 114, Nick Earl 75, Joe Carter 72; Murray Jarvis 2/51, Brett Hampton 2/62, Campbell Thomas 2/73) winning draw against Eves Realty Greerton 231/9 (Cameron Neal 52, B Hampton 33, Kent Hodder 32; Scott Steward 4/17, C Paige 2/34, James Birchall 2/41)

Central defeated BOP Indians