Cricket: Central eye third win

PULL SHOT: Central Cricket Club could make it three wins in a row tomorrow in the Bay Cup. Pictured is Central player Kyle Blanchard. PHOTO/BEN FRASER 061013BF3

Rotorua's Central Cricket Club will aim for three wins in a row during their Baywide Cup game against Greerton.

Central have been the big movers on the Baywide Cup standings, leaping into the top four after defeating East Bay United last weekend.

The arrival of the Blanchard brothers, Vaughan and Kyle, from Counties Manukau, has seemingly strengthened the Rotorua contenders.

However, they have a battle on their hands tomorrow against Eves Realty Greerton at Smallbone Park.

Four centuries in three games including two to Bay of Plenty master blaster Brett Hampton testifies to the Greerton batting firepower.

Dan Spencer has made a strong start in the bowling stakes with eight wickets for Greerton, which puts him in third place on the season bowling tally.

Meanwhile, possibly the biggest game of the Baywide Cup season will take place at Blake Park when the top two ranked teams square off.

Defending Baywide champions and 2013 competition leaders Mount Maunganui will face long-time rivals Element IMF Otumoetai Cadets tomorrow.

With just three rounds before the Baywide Cup final, the winner from tomorrow's encounter will take a big step towards securing a berth in the title decider.

Mount Maunganui batsman Peter Drysdale will be one of the keys to a Mount victory.

Sitting in third place on the season batting tally, with 224 runs, the Mount skipper's innings will be crucial to the home side posting a competitive total. Two Mount bowlers are at the top of the wicket taking list with Dale Swan on 13 wickets followed by Tony Goodin with 11.

Cadet's master blaster Joe Carter, who posted two solid turns at bat in his debut game for the Northern Knights last weekend, is capable of blasting the opposition out of the game.

More than a 1000 runs for the Bay of Plenty senior representative team in 24 games testify to Carter's ability with the bat.

In other Baywide Cup encounters, City Sports Bar Te Puke could move back into the top four if they beat East Bay United at the Te Puke Domain.