Eves Realty Greerton, who square off against Element IMF Cadets in the Williams Cup at Tauranga Domain tomorrow, will long remember last year's Williams Cup clash between the two sides.
Twelve months ago, Greerton were jubilant when they removed Cadets for what seemed to be a modest 130 runs. However,all visions of an easy Greerton victory were obliterated, when Black Caps quick Trent Boult dismissed the first three Greerton batsmen for ducks in a rare appearance for his club.
Bay of Plenty's Brett Hampton showed some resistance to Boult, however when he was removed for 20, Greerton were in real trouble. Boult continued his express deliveries and finished the match with 8/37 as Greerton were dismissed for 93 to give Cadets a 37 run victory.
Greerton have won just one of their first three Williams Cup games and will be desperate for victory to keep them in contention for a semifinal place. They are also likely to be without key players who will be on Hawke Cup duty over the weekend.
By comparison, Cadets have been without two star players, Joe Carter and Jono Boult, for most of the season, which has given a couple of youngsters an opportunity in the Baywide premier ranks. One such player is former Otumoetai College first XI bowler Christian MacDonald, who took three wickets for just six runs against defending champions Mount Maunganui two weeks ago.
Te Puke, who are the only unbeaten team in the 2014 Williams Cup, showed they are genuine contenders for championship honours in late March when they outplayed Cadets last week. Te Puke bowled Cadets out for 170 and then cruised to an eight wicket victory. On Saturday they square off with Tauranga Boys' College at the Te Puke Domain.
Mount Maunganui take on Whakatane United at Blake Park, Smallbone Park will host a Rotorua derby, with Central, who sit in second equal place, against Cadets and Mount Maunganui, facing BOP Indians.
Williams Cup (Premier Baywide) Draw, February 8: Element IMF Cadets v Eves Realty Greerton, Tauranga Domain; City Sports Bar Te Puke v Tauranga Boys College, Te Puke Domain; Mount Maunganui v Whakatane United, Blake Park; Central v BOP Indians, Smallbone Park.
Points: City Sports Bar Te Puke 9, Element IMF Cadets 6, Mount Maunganui 6, Central 6, Eves Realty Greerton 3, Whakatane United 3, Tauranga Boys College 3, BOP Indians 0.
