Tai Bridgman-Raison breaks century record for Te Puke

RECORD BREAKER: Tai Bridgman-Raison has most centuries for Te Puke after a superb 174 on Saturday. PHOTO: FILE

Tai Bridgman-Raison rewrote New World Te Puke batting history on Saturday when he blasted a big century in his team's Williams Cup encounter with Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys' College.

Batting first at the Te Puke Domain, the host side posted 296/4 with Bridgman-Raison stroking his way to 174. The long-time Te Puke player, who previously held the most centuries for the club with the late Andy Roberts, grabbed outright ownership with his big ton. His 174 also went past the club's premier highest score posted by Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson a few years ago.

Tauranga Boys' made a valiant attempt on the big target but were bowled out for 200 to give Te Puke their first win of the Williams Cup title race. Josh Earle did the damage with the ball taking five wickets.

For the third weekend in a row, Eves Realty Greerton chased down a big score when they took home a three wicket win over Carrus Mount Maunganui at Blake Park. The home side took first use of the wicket and made a grand start, with keeper Matt Golding and Nick Smith putting on an opening stand of 99 runs. Golding went on to top score with 87 as Mount Maunganui reached 232 for the loss of three wickets.

The Mount bowlers controlled the early momentum in Greerton's reply with the introduction of spin slowing the run rate. However Lee Watkins batting at six turned the encounter around, as he took aim on the boundary to belt an unbeaten 93, which included seven sixes. Skipper Shane Wineti (35) and Murray Jarvis (33) also made solid contributions as Greerton got home with three wickets to spare.

Element IMF Cadets rebounded from last week's loss to arch-rivals Mount Maunganui by defeating Bayleys Central Indians in Rotorua. The Rotorua combined side were bowled out for 178, with Stephen Nicholas anchoring the innings with 64 runs. Cadets in-form batsman Morton Freer took charge of the reply to hammer 75, with Scott Steward and Daniel Maathui making solid contributions in the seven wicket win.

The halfway stage of Williams Cup round robin competition sees Mount Maunganui, Cadets and Greerton holding a share of the lead with just one defeat each with all three teams looking likely semifinalists.

Williams Cup results

Carrus Mount Maunganui 232/3 (Matt Golding 87, Nick Smith 38, Jason Luke 34no, Logan Carr 22no, Blair McKenzie 22; James Boyd 2/34) lost to Eves Realty Greerton 233/7 (Lee Watkins 93no, Shane Wineti 35, Murray Jarvis 33; Kyle Dovey 3/42, Nick Smith 2/31)
Bayleys Central Indians 178 (Stephen Nicholls 64, Rohan Gosai 32; Ben Christensen 2/24, Jim Van Der Vorm 2/33, Morton Freer 2/35, Kamal Bains 2/38) lost to Element IMF Cadets 179/3 (M Freer 75, Scott Steward 36, Daniel Maathuis 31no)
New World Te Puke 296/4 (Tai Bridgman-Raison 174) defeated Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys' College 200 (Josh Earle 5/37)

Williams Cup Points Table

Carrus Mount Maunganui 27, Element IMF Cadets 27, Eves Realty Greerton 27, Bayleys Central Indians 12, New World Te Puke 9, Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys' College 3.