Cricket: Tauranga ace first round against Rotorua

Tauranga opener Joel Carter scores runs during his 72 no against Rotorua at Pemberton Park yesterday. Photo / Joel Ford

Tauranga took the first step to retaining the Attrill Cup when they defeated long-time rivals Rotorua in the first round of the 2013 Attrill Cup competition yesterday.

Bay of Plenty batsman Bharat Popli was the backbone of the Rotorua side, crafting 71 runs from 101 balls in his time at the crease. The Bay of Plenty Indians batsman was patience personified as he stroked the ball around Pemberton Park before his team were removed for 174. Liliesh Solanki also provided some genuine resistance with a gritty 28 runs.

Greerton bowler Campbell Thomas grabbed three wickets at a cost of 42 runs. One bowler to impress was Tauranga Boys' College youngster Gareth Wallace who returned 2/9.

Attack was the cornerstone of the Tauranga reply, with an opening partnership of over a hundred runs put on by skipper Jono Boult and Joe Carter.

When Boult was dismissed for 52, Tom MacRury continued the assault on the Rotorua bowling. Carter finished with an unbeaten 72 with MacRury posting 39 not out.

Te Puke/Mount Maunganui, playing under the banner of Western Bay of Plenty, were even more dominant than their Tauranga counterparts, easily dispatching Eastern Bay of Plenty in Te Puke.

The combined side batted first and set a huge target when they reached 362/8. When Eastern Bay master blaster Alex Yates was run out cheaply, the writing was on the wall for the visitors, who were removed for 118 to hand the combined side a 244 run win.

The Attrill Cup action continues next Sunday when round two will be played.

Attrill Cup Results 13 October 2013

Rotorua 174 (Bharat Popli 71, Liliesh Solanki 24; Campbell Thomas 3/42, Gareth Wallace 2/9, James Birchall 2/34) lost to Tauranga 175/1 (Joe Carter 72no, Tom MacRury 39no, Jono Boult 52)

Western Bay of Plenty 362/8 (Tim Clarke 116 retired, Peter Drysdale 100, Mitch McCann 36; Alex Yates 3/36, James Boyd 2/45) defeated Eastern Bay of Plenty 118