Cricket: Rotorua Central stays on top of Cadets

Ben Christiansen eyes up the ball while batting for Element IMF Cadets in the final of the Lonestar Tauranga T20 Championship on Saturday. Photo / George Novak

Rotorua Central won back to back Lonestar Tauranga T20 Championships when they defeated Element IMF Cadets in the title decider at the Bay Oval at Mount Maunganui on Saturday.

Central took first use of what was an excellent batting strip at Bay of Plenty Cricket's premier ground and got away to a good start. Led by a hard fought 49 runs from skipper Jason Trembath, the Rotorua team set their opponents a target of over seven and a half runs an over in posting 152/8. Vaughan Blanchard, Ben Blackett and Tahir Afridi all reached the twenties, with Ben Christensen the best of the Cadets bowlers taking two wickets for 19 runs.

The Western Bay side made a cracking start to their run chase, however the Central slow bowlers cut down the Cadets momentum. Needing 40 odd runs off the last four overs proved too much with Cadets restricted to 143/7. Sean Davey top scored with 37 with Central's Ben Watkinson returning 2/19.

Five sides had a theoretical chance of making the title decider. Eves Realty Greerton, who were out of contention, upset the apple cart when they eliminated Carrus Mount Maunganui, who entered the last round in a share of the lead. Greerton's Charles Williams smashed his way to an unbeaten 107 as his team reached 158/8. The Greerton bowlers then restricted Mount Maunganui to 139/8.

Cadetsposted 220 for the loss of a single wicket, against BOP Indians. Sean Davey blasted 106 not out with Tom Sole belting 85 runs before dismissal. The Rotorua side were removed for 95 to hand Cadets a big win.

Central reached the final beating Whakatane United. After reaching 168/8, they proceeded to bowl the Eastern Bay side out for just 52. Tauranga Boys' College, who sat at the bottom of the standings half way through the competition, banked their third successive victory in defeating City Sports Bar Te Puke.

Baywide T20 Final

Central 152/8 (Jason Trembath 46, Vaughan Blanchard 26, Ben Blackett 21, Tahir Afridi 20; Ben Christensen 2/19) defeated Element IMF Cadets 143/7 (Sean Davey 37; Ben Watkinson 2/19)

Round Seven

Central 168/8 (J Trembath 49, V Blanchard 38) defeated Whakatane United 52 (J Trembath 3/17, V Blanchard 2/14)

Element IMF Cadets 220/1 (S Davey 106no, Tom Sole 85; Donovan Deeble 22no) defeated BOP Indians 95 (K Corder 4/15, Morgan Bidois 3/21)

Eves Realty Greerton 158/5 (Charles Williams 107no) defeated Carrus Mount Maunganui 139/8

Tauranga Boys' College 170/7 (Mark Orchard 64, Tom Renouf 28, D Clarke 20) defeated City Sports Te Puke 131/5 (Brody Gilroy 33, Matt Dwight 30)

Points Table (Final)

Cadets 10, Central 9, Mount Maunganui 8, Tauranga Boys' College 8, Greerton 7, Whakatane United 6, Te Puke 4, BOP Indians 4.