Tauranga Boys' College batsman Sean Dykes strokes a ball into the covers at Nicholson Field. PHOTO/ANDREW WARNER
The Baywide Cup looks to be a three-horse race, with just two rounds remaining in the round robin play before the finals' play-off. At stake for the winner of the 110-over competition is the Bay of Plenty berth in the ND club championships.
Carrus Mount Maunganui continue to lead after
beating Tauranga Boys' College outright at Nicholson Field. The Tauranga students batted first and were removed for just 102, with Sean Dykes and Gareth Wallace both reaching the 20s before dismissal. Northern Knights quick Tony Goodin was in sterling form, grabbing four wickets at a cost of 22 runs.
The Mount Maunganui victory was eventually a walk in the park, with the competition leaders cruising to a nine-wicket win. Tauranga Boys' bowler Tom Wakelin struck early in the encounter, removing one of the Mount openers with the score on three. From there, Mount Maunganui skipper Peter Drydale took hold to finish with an unbeaten 53, with Ben Musgrave posting 44 not out.
Element IMF Cadets and Eves Realty Greerton both posted solid wins. At Rex Morepeth Park in Whakatane, Greerton bowler Dan Spencer grabbed season-best figures with a seven-wicket bag, as Whakatane United made 95. Spencer was in rampant form, returning 7/23. Greerton lost four wickets on their march to victory with Shane Wineti top scoring with 29, while Richie Earl hit an undefeated 20.
Otumoetai Cadets won the Bay of Plenty inter-city battle with Rotorua Central, at Smallbone Park in Rotorua. The home team batted first and were bowled out for 149. Johnny Barrow and Ryan Pedley reached the 40s, with Otumoetai College student Christian MacDonald taking four wickets for the visitors. ND representative batsmen Joe Carter led the way with 68 not out, with Cadets skipper Ben Christensen reaching 49 before being dismissed, as the Western Bay side got home with six wickets to spare.
