Bayleys Central Indians bowler Chris Tupaea in action against Element IMF Cadets. Photo / Ben Fraser
Bayleys Central Indians bowler Chris Tupaea in action against Element IMF Cadets. Photo / Ben Fraser
Bayleys Central Indians have progressed from undergoing a season revival to genuine Williams Cup contenders after they dispatched Element IMF Cadets in Rotorua.
YesterdayCadets, who are the Williams Cup defending champions, batted first and reached 161/8 in their 50 overs.
Long-time Cadets all-rounder Ben Christensen top scored with a neathalf-century while Morton Freer made a useful contribution of 22 runs. Chris Tupea, who has transferred from the Eastern Bay of Plenty to Central Indians to play premier cricket, was the best of the Rotorua side's bowlers taking two wickets for 16 runs.
Ajay Kumar opened his side's chase for victory and put them in the box seat with a quick fire 58 runs. His total came from just 44 balls and included six 4s and three 6s.
Sahil Rana continued the Central Indians' charge with 46, while Jake Rowe finished off the victory with an unbeaten 24 runs.
Long-time Carrus Mount Maunganui bowler Tony Goodin showcased his batting skills with a half-century in his sides win over Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys' College.
Taking first use of the wicket at Blake Park, the home team posted 197/9, with George Signal (44) and Dan Smith (39) also making solid contributions to the Mount Maunganui total.
Bayleys Central Indians celebrate a wicket against Element IMF Cadets. Photo / Ben Fraser
Four wickets from Mount Maunganui skipper Dale Swan played a big part in Tauranga Boys' being dismissed for 150, to hand the home side a 47 run victory.
Craig Baldry, who has recently joined the Mount after leaving Tauranga Boys', took three wickets. Matt Golding was the best of the Tauranga Boys' batsmen, top scoring with 45.
Eves Realty Greerton strolled to victory over GM Painters Lake Taupo CC, after they reached 262/6 and then bowled the Great Lake region side out for 154.
Individual honours belonged to Greerton batsmen Pip Thickpenny and Tom Renouf, who both reached the 70s, and evergreen Greerton bowler Murray Jarvis with four wickets.
Moko Rivers top scored for the visitors to Pemberton Park with a hard fought 41 runs.
Williams Cup results
Greerton 262/6 (P Thickpenny 73, T Renouf 70, L Watkins 32, B Lind 28; J Barrow 2-28) beat Lake Taupo CC 154 (M Rivers 41: M Jarvis 4-37, J Boyd 3-27)
Cadets 161/8 (B Christensen 50, M Freer 22; C Tupea 2-16) lost to Central Indians 162/4 (A Kumar 58, S Rana 46, J Rowe 24no; B Christensen 2-47)
Mount Maunganui 197/9 (T Goodin 50, G Signal 44, D Smith 39; R Donaghy 2-15, T Carsons 2-44) beat Tauranga Boys' College 150 (M Golding 45, M Collett 24; D Swan 4-20, C Baldry 3-26, N Smith 2-18)
Te Puke: the bye.
Points Central Indians 12, Mount Maunganui 12, Greerton 12, Te Puke 0, Cadets 0, Tauranga Boys College 0, Lake Taupo CC 0.
