A hat-trick from iTCo Central bowler Andrew Gibbs, failed to prevent his side suffering defeat by Te Puke, in their BOP Cup encounter at the Te Puke Domain on Saturday.
In a match that went down to the wire, Central batted first and posted a defendable target, when the Te Puke bowlers removed them for 211.
Half centuries to Jared Christoffersen (68) and Julian Danby (51) led the way for the visitors.
Dutch import Joost Kroesen was the best of the Te Puke bowlers, taking 4/26, with Shera Singh and Luke Erikson taking three wickets apiece.
Te Puke were in control after Mitch McCann posted a sparkling 76 before dismissal.
However the momentum turned, when Bay pace bowler Andrew Gibbs removed three Te Puke batsmen in succession, to grab the first hat-trick of the Baywide season. From a comfortable position 186/6, Te Puke were in trouble after the Gibbs hat-trick, requiring 25 runs with their last two batsmen at the crease.
However last seasons Reserve grade captain Daniel Harpur steered his team to victory with a patient 32 not out.
Competition leaders Tauranga Boys College suffered their first defeat of the season, when they lost to Eves Realty Greerton, in a game where the bowlers from both sides held all the aces.
The Tauranga students posted just 123 all out as the home side bowling attack made good use of a seaming wicket.
Cameron Neil was a shining light top at one end scoring 52, while Bay all rounder Brett Hampton grabbed 3/38 for the home side.
While the Tauranga Boys bowlers took regular wickets, Brett Hampton (36) and Ben Williams (20) kept Greerton in the match. In another encounter that went to the wire, the home side sneaked home for the loss of nine wickets.
Tom Clout troubled the Greerton batsmen throughout his spell, with the ball taking four wickets for 22 runs.
Element IMF Cadets had plenty of batting practise in the game with BOP Indians in Rotorua, declaring after 45 overs at 306/5.
Three half centuries from Scott Steward (83), Matthew Drake (66) and skipper Jono Boult (50) set the Rotorua-based side a big target.
While Sanjay Unka hit a gritty 31 runs, they were bowled out for 133 to hand the Western Bay side a comfortable victory.
East Bay United posted a five-wicket win on a pitch that was described as a minefield, defeating Rotorua Boys High School.
The Rotorua students batted first and were rolled for just 69, with Dean Butterworth and James Mitchell taking a five-wicket bag apiece.
However the batting wicket also troubled the Eastern Bay side who scrambled home with five wickets in hand.
Bay of Plenty Baywide BOP Cup results November 5, 2011
Tauranga Boys College 123 (Cameron Neil 52, Mark Orchard 32; Brett Hampton 3/38, Shane Wineti 2/15, Sebastian Braat 2/25) lost to Eves Realty Greerton 124/9 (B Hampton 30; Tom Clout 4/22, M Orchard 2/20)
Element IMF Cadets 306/5 (Scott Steward 83, Matthew Drake 66, Jono Boult 50, Joe Carter 37no, Ben Christensen 36) defeated BOP Indians 133 (Sanjay Unka 31, Shonit Chandra 29no; J Boult 3/25, Nick Earl 2/28, Amandeep Singh 2/30)
Rotorua Boys High 69 (Dean Butterworth 5/20, James Mitchell 5/35) lost to East Bay United 73/5 (Richard Millesen 24, Chance Perham 2/17, J Thomasen 2/24)
ITCo Central 211 (Jared Christoffersen 68, Julian Danby 51, Cameron Payne 38; Joost Kroesen 4/26, Shera Singh 3/28, Luke Erikson 3/45 lost to Te Puke 213/9 (Mitch McCann 76, Daniel Harpur 32no, Tai Bridgeman-Raison 30; Matt McLaughlin 3/31, Ben Watkinson 3/40, Andrew Gibbs 3/45 (hat-trick).