Central Indians beaten by the rain

Central Indians' Cam Payne bowls at Te Puke's Tai Bridgeman-Raisan on Saturday. PHOTO/ ANDREW WARNER.

Bayleys Central Indians were left with a bitter taste of disappointment after their second game of the BOPCA Baywide competition was abandoned in the second innings due to bad weather.

Central Indians were set the target of 168 runs by New World Te Puke at Blake Park in Mount Maunganui yesterday, in a game where the players left the field on several occasions.

Te Puke skipper Stephen Crossan was the top scorer with 64 whilst spin bowler Prabh Gill impressed by taking three wickets for the Rotorua visitors.

Central Indians started their chase strongly but at 58-1, rain won the battle of the elements and the match had to be abandoned,

Co-captain Shonit Chandra said he was disappointed as his side had the upper hand.

"Our all-round performance had stepped up from the week before and we put in a very good display," he said.

"We certainly could have gone on to win but you just have to take these kind of results and not be too disheartened."

Central Indians' Bharat Popli and his side were strong in the field on the weekend. Photo/ Andrew Warner.

Ben Sandford was 22 not out for Central Indians with Cam Payne on 11 after Magan Vashist had been dismissed for 18.

"We were looking very solid with the batting," said Chandra.

"Each player was focused on their own targets and it was definitely paying off."

Due to the no result each side took away eight points which Chandra was "fairly happy" about.

"The team is not disheartened. We are looking forward and everyone is excited for the rest of the season," he said.

"We have got some points on the board and can take a lot of confidence into our next match."

The Western Bay of Plenty's poor weekend weather also meant that just one Baywide Cup game was completed - Carrus Mount Maunganui beat Eves Realty Greerton, which had the Baker Cup (WBOPCA Challenge Trophy) on the line.

The introduction of Mount skipper Dale Swan into the bowling attack paid immediate dividends - the spin bowler taking four wickets for just six runs, as Greerton were removed for 72.

Northern Knights fast bowler Brett Hampton removed both Mount openers without a run being scored, in his first over, in a rain delayed start to the Mount Maunganui reply. Black Cap batsman Dean Brownlie, in a rare appearance for Mount Maunganui, took his team home to a six wicket win with a gritty 42 not out.

Results

BOPCA Baywide premier competition

Baywide Cup

New World Te Puke 168/9 (Stephen Crossan 64, Alex Gooding 37; Prabh Gill 3/36, Andrew Gibbs 2/23, D Lewy 2/39) Bayleys Central Indians 58/1 (Ben Sandford 22 (not out), Magan Vashisht, 18, Cam Payne 11 (not out) when game abandoned due to further rain.

Eves Realty Greerton 72 (Dale Swan 4/6, Nick Smith 3/3, Tony Goodin 2/18) lost to Carrus Mount Maunganui 73/4 (Dean Brownlie 42no; Brett Hampton 3/24)

Element IMF Cadets v Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys College - abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Points (provisional): Carrus Mount Maunganui 36, Element IMF Cadets 28, Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys College 28, New World Te Puke 16, Bayleys Central Indians 8, Eves Realty Greerton O.