Platinum Pacific Reclad Mount Maunganui continue to lead the Bay of Plenty Cup competition after another big win over Ultimate Motor Group Te Puke at Te Puke Domain on Saturday.
Batting first, the defending Bay Cup titleholders posted a solid 252-9 in 50 overs. Mount skipper Daniel Hill, who batted down
the order, topscored with an unbeaten 47. Northern Knights rep Jason Donnelly (33), Sam Blake (32), Blair Parlane (31) and Khan Greig (26) all made useful contributions.
The Te Puke bowlers toiled to take nine wickets, with Sean Gibson and Jared Carter taking three each.
Te Puke made a valiant attempt for victory but came up short when they were removed for 184. Reserve grade regular Russell Williams posted his side's top score of 40.
There was plenty of drama at the Tauranga Domain when long-time Baywide heavyweights Element IMF Cadets hosted Rotorua Boys' High School. The students took first use of the batting strip and were dismissed for a modest 124, with Bay age-group rep Shaquille Graham showing solid resistance with 54 not out.
Matthew Drake, primarily a batsman, continued his re-emergence into the bowling ranks with four wickets for 36 runs.
The use of spin bowler Cody Fell (3/21) to open Rotorua Boys' bowling attack paid immediate dividends, with Cadets in desperate trouble at 15/4. However, Cadets keeper Richard Rice (54no) and Nick Earl (35no) carried their team to a four-wicket win.
Eves Realty Greerton posted a 10-wicket victory against Bay Indians, who mustered just 109 after veteran medium pacer Murray Jarvis' remarkable double - 7-16 with the ball, including a hat-trick, and an unbeaten 53.
Tauranga Boys' College retained the Bay Cricket challenge shield, defeating East Bay United in a match that went down to the last over. After Tauranga Boys' set a large target of 234, James Mitchell's 93 wasn't enough as East Bay United fell for 222.
