Cricket: Cadets crushed, Central cruise

Central batsman Jonny Barrow in action for his side's win over Whakatane United at the weekend. Photo/Ben Fraser

Central continued their winning form in the Williams Cup, out-classing their Whakatane United opponents.

The home side took first use of the Smallbone Park pitch to post 221/9 against Whakatane United. Kyle Blanchard (41) and Ryan Pedley (35) were the main contributors in the Central innings, with Alex Yates the best of the Eastern Bay side's bowling attack, taking 3/40. Central won the second innings battle between bat and ball, to remove the visitors for 118 to post an easy win. Hugh Adin top-scored for Whakatane United with 31, with Bay Development all-rounder Jason Trembath returning 4/21.

The win follows up from their strong performance against Greerton last weekend.

Meanwhile, Te Puke sit at the top of the standings in the Williams Cup competition after they won the battle between the two unbeaten teams in the round three clash.

Cadets chose to bat first and were dismissed for 170, with Chris Norton top-scoring 47, while lower order batsman James Birchall finished with 31. Bowling honours were taken by Josh Dwight, who grabbed five wickets at a cost of 43 runs, with Mitch McCann and Matt Dwight taking two wickets apiece.

Te Puke showed they are genuine cup contenders, cruising to an eight-wicket victory. Skipper Mitch McCann led the way with a blistering 73 not out, with the Tallott brothers of Sam (43) and Scott (20), who travel from Gisborne each week, making useful contributions.

Mount Maunganui and Greerton were involved in an encounter at Pemberton Park that went down to the wire. Mount Maunganui batted first and recovered from 125/6 to reach 221 all out. Mount captain Peter Drysdale posted 41 runs at the top of the order, with number seven batsman Dan Hill top-scoring with 44. The Mount fightback came from a 44-run partnership between Hill and Alex Gooding, who posted 22, including four boundaries. Dan Spencer took four wickets for Greerton, with Murray Jarvis taking three of the Mount top and middle order batsmen.

The home side were well behind the eight ball and, with the last two Greerton batters at the wicket with 50 odd runs required to win, their run chase appeared buried. However, Richie Earl, batting at seven, and number 11 batsman Murray Jarvis took their team within 10 runs of victory. Earl blasted 57 that included two sixes, with Jarvis picking his shots at the other end to finish with an unbeaten 10 runs to his name. Daniel Hill and Alex Gooding took three wickets each for Mount Maunganui.

The match-up between Tauranga Boys' College and BOP Indians was also a close run affair. The Rotorua visitors batted first and were removed for 207. Boys' College claimed victory in the last over, with just one wicket to spare.

Results: Bay of Plenty Cricket

Williams Cup (Baywide Premier)

Mount Maunganui 221 (D Hill 44, P Drysdale 41, T Clarke 35; D Spencer 4/25. M Jarvis 3/47) defeated Greerton 212 (R Earl 57, S Wineti 31, K Hodder 24; A Gooding 3/42, D Hill 3/47)

Cadets 170 (C Norton 47, J Birchall 31; J Dwight 5/43, M McCann 2/19, M Dwight 2/6) lost to Te Puke 171/2 (M McCann 73no, Sam Tallott 43, Scott Tallott 20)

Central 221/9 (K Blanchard 41, R Pedley 35; A Yates 3/40, S Ford 2/31, M Purdy 2/38, M Carter 2/39) defeated Whakatane United 118 (H Adin 31, M Carter 22, J Trembath 4/21, V Blanchard 2/9, L Kelly 2/26)

BOP Indians 207 lost to Tauranga Boys' College 208/9

Points Table

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.