Cricket: Orchard exhibits masterclass

Greerton batsman Kent Hodder hooks a short ball against Te Puke on Saturday. Photo / George Novak

A century and a six-wicket bag took centrestage on the opening day of the Bay of Plenty Baywide cricket season on Saturday.

Led by a majestic unbeaten century from Tauranga Boys' College mentor Mark Orchard, who teaches at the college, the Tauranga students posted 307/9 against East Bay United at Nicholson Field.

Orchard, who has played for the Northern Knights, came to the crease after his team had lost their first wicket with just five runs on the board. The Tauranga Boys' captain/coach blasted 146 from 171 balls to take control of the game in a superb knock after a watchful start against the pace and guile of Northern Knights pace bowler Graeme Aldridge.

When East Bay United master blaster Tom Yates fell cheaply early in his side's innings, the Eastern Bay visitors were set to struggle. It was left to Aldridge to steady his team, going on to top score with a gritty 46. Tauranga Boys' 136 run win was the most comprehensive victory of the four Western Bay teams that grabbed win points on the opening day of the season.

Mount Maunganui slow bowler Dale Swan mesmerised the BOP Indians batsmen, taking six wickets for just 11 runs, as the Mount cruised to an eight wicket win in Rotorua. Mount's new Northern Knights quick Tony Goodin removed the two openers before Swan weaved magic with the ball. The Mount reply was swift with Mike Corbett (40) and skipper Peter Drysdale (32no) taking the visitors to an eight wicket win.

Element IMF Cadets were made to work hard for victory over Rotorua Central in a low scoring encounter at Boord Park in Rotorua. Central were removed for 95, with Cadets bowler Amit Dharan making his debut for the Tauranga Domain-based side, taking three wickets. However, the Central bowlers put the opposition batsmen under pressure, grabbing six wickets, with Bay of Plenty representative Joe Carter top scoring with 27.

One game that went down to the wire was the clash at the Te Puke Domain between City Sports Bar Te Puke and Eves Realty Greerton. The visitors were dismissed for 219, with Mitch McCann and Richard Turner taking four wickets apiece. Te Puke were cruising before the Greerton bowlers struck back, with the home side snatching a one-wicket win in fading light. Josh Dwight and Tai Bridgman-Raison both reached the 60s for the winners.

Bay of Plenty Premier Baywide Cricket Results 5 October 2013

BOP Indians 88 (Dale Swan 6/11) lost to Mount Maunganui 89/2 (Mike Corbett 40, Peter Drysdale 32no)

Central 95 (Amit Dhiran 3/20) lost to Element IMF Cadets 96/6 (Joe Carter 27)

Tauranga Boys' College 307/9 (Mark Orchard 146no, Luke Aldersley 33; Matt Carter 2/33, Joel Mathews 2/79, Matthew Purdy 2/92) defeated East Bay United 171 (Graeme Aldridge 46, James Richmond 27; M Orchard 3/10, Keaton Taylor 2/28, G Nagla 2/28)

Eves Realty Greerton 219 (Richard Turnbull 4/13, Mitch McCann 4/61) lost to City Sports Bar Te Puke 220/9 (Josh Dwight 65, Tai Bridgman-Raison 63, Stephen Crossan 36)