Central Indians will have talented batter Rohan Gosai back in the side this weekend. PHOTO/FILE.
Central Indians will have talented batter Rohan Gosai back in the side this weekend. PHOTO/FILE.
The Baywide Cup second round gets under way tomorrow with just three points separating Carrus Mount Maunganui and Element IMF Cadets at the top of the standings.
Meanwhile at the bottom of the table Rotorua's Bayleys Central Indians will be happy to see the back of the first round - having lost four of their five matches in the BOPCA Baywide premier competition.
But co-captain Shonit Chandra said they had "learnt many lessons" at the midway point and were feeling confident ahead of their home clash with Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys' College at Smallbone Park.
Chandra said Central Indians would be boosted by the return of talented brothers Rohan and Himesh Gosai.
"Yes we haven't been getting wins - but that is only half the story," he said.
"I am happy with how we have progressed and there has certainly been improvements - we just need to put it all together now.
"Playing at home gives that little extra fire for the players. Also Rohan brings a lot of quality with the bat and Himesh is a very talented seam bowler."
Central Indians seam bowler Himesh Gosai will be available for his team on Saturday. PHOTO/FILE
In the reverse fixture between the sides Central Indians made a respectable 152, with Tauranga Boys' chasing down the target to win by five wickets.
Chandra said a strong fielding performance and an early lethal bowling attack, led by co-captain Andrew Gibbs, would be key to the side's first home win of the season.
"It was our very first game all together and we were just getting used to each other so I expect to see a much improved performance," he said.
"We dropped some silly catches last time so I don't want to see that again.
"Andrew has been in awesome form and hopefully that confidence will filter throughout the team."
Elsewhere, top-of-the-table Mount Maunganui will square off with fifth-placed New World Te Puke at the Te Puke Domain - their first meeting of the season resulting in a winning draw to Mount Maunganui.
Defending Baywide Cup champions Eves Realty Greerton, in third, will want to erase their first-round loss to second-placed Cadets, when their opponents pay a visit to Pemberton Park tomorrow.
BOPCA Baywide premier competition fixtures
Baywide Cup, round two Saturday, 12pm start:
Bayleys Central Indians v Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys' College, Smallbone Park, Rotorua.
New World Te Puke v Carrus Mount Maunganui, Te Puke Domain, Te Puke.
Eves Realty Greerton v Element IMF Cadets, Pemberton Park, Tauranga.
Points table: Carrus Mount Maunganui 99, Element IMF Cadets 96, Eves Realty Greerton 71, Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys' College 59, New World Te Puke 47, Bayleys Central Indians 14.
