Cricket: Cadets out to get title goal back on track

After three rounds of the Baywide Cup, only Mount Maunganui and Eves Realty Greerton retain unbeaten records in the first past the post competition.

Last weekend, defending champions Element IMF Cadets were beaten by Tauranga Boys' College, which has split the Baywide competition wide open.

Tomorrow, Cadets will endeavour to get their title aspirations back on track when they play Te Puke at the Te Puke Domain.

There is a rivalry that has developed between the two Western Bay premier teams over the years. While Cadets have had the ascendancy in recent seasons, no team has won more Baywide titles than Te Puke. Both sides have quality leadership, with the two captains able to draw on a wealth of representative and premier cricket experience and knowledge.

Cadets are led by Bay skipper Jono Boult while Te Puke's Tai Bridgeman-Raison played nine games for the Bay.

Mount Maunganui will be chasing their third successive Baywide Cup season victory when they travel to Rotorua to play Central at Smallbone Park.

With the Baywide trophy just three years old, the Mount team has an enviable record, winning the trophy in the first two seasons before finishing runner-up to Cadets last season.

Central have had a roller-coaster ride in Baywide cricket in the last decade. After winning the Williams Cup in 2007, the Rotorua team have been plagued by inconsistent form in recent seasons.

Tauranga Boys' College teacher and team mentor Mark Orchard was the key to victory for the students when they upset Cadets last weekend.

An unbeaten 107, and two key wickets with the ball, saw his side through to a comfortable victory at the Tauranga Domain.

This weekend they square off against East Bay United in Whakatane.

Last week, Eastern Bay bowler Joel Mathews ripped through BOP Indians' batting lineup, taking 5/22, as the Rotorua team were removed for just 45. Tomorrow, Mathews will have another chance to push his team to victory, when Tauranga Boys' pay a visit to Rex Morpeth Park.

Greerton have had a weather-plagued start to their Baywide season, playing just a sole encounter with Tauranga Boys'. They will want to win their first home game of the season, against BOP Indians. However, the visitors will be seeking redemption after their meagre score in the Eastern Bay last weekend.

BOPCA Baywide Cup premier draw, November 10

Central v Mount Maunganui, Smallbone Park

Te Puke v Element IMF Cadets, Te Puke Domain

East Bay United v Tauranga Boys College, Rex Morpeth Park

Eves Realty Greerton v BOP Indians, Pemberton Park