Despite an excellent early bowling performance, Bayleys Central Indians fell victim to the top side in the BOPCA Baywide premier competition.
Central Indians, who batted second, suffered their third loss in the Baywide Cup - being bowled out for 69 runs by table toppers Carrus Mount Maunganui after being set the target of 236 to chase.
On paper it looked like a comprehensive win for the Western Bay of Plenty visitors but they were made to dig deep after losing six wickets with just 57 runs on the board - largely down to an excellent performance from co-captain Andrew Gibbs, who took the first three for his side.
Then entered the Mount's Blair McKenzie, who took control as he worked the ball around Smallbone Park, to lead his side with an unbeaten 100.
Early on in his impressive innings McKenzie was initially called out by the umpire after being adjudged to being caught behind after nicking the ball, but in a show of excellent sportsmanship Central Indians over-ruled the decision.
"I'm pleased with how we started and we can take a lot of positives from that," Gibbs said.
"With Blair I knew straight away that he hadn't touched the ball and it was only fair to have him stay in. But, unfortunately for us, his quality then really shone through."
The second innings belonged to experienced Mount Maunganui all-rounder Daniel Hill who mesmerised Central Indians batting attack finishing with six wickets for just 14 runs.
"The grass wicket really played to the hand of the bowlers and there was so much movement on the ball which our batters just didn't handle," said Gibbs.
"The Mount really are the team to beat. They are a very good side with strong batters all the way down the order and the bowlers are top notch."
IN ACTION: Central Indians' Declan Keaney bowling against Mount Maunganui at Smallbone Park on the weekend. PHOTO/ STEPHEN PARKER.
Despite Central Indians difficult start to the competition Gibbs said he remained positive for the rest of the season.
"This is a steep learning curve for all of us," he said.
"At the moment we are just trying to build, get more awareness for the game and keep a positive outlook. There is lots more to still come from this team."
Meanwhile, Element IMF Cadets cemented second place on the table with a three-wicket win over New World Te Puke.
Te Puke, batting first, got away to a good start - Tai Bridgman-Raison (58) and Stephen Crossan (31) putting on a 62-run opening stand. The visitors were bowled out for a total of 180, with Cadets' Josh Dwight taking three wickets with Jono Boult returning 2/46.
Boult then anchored the Cadets victory with a hard-fought 62 as the home team chased down their target with three wickets to spare. Te Puke's Jonty Grigson, Brody Gilroy and Alex Gooding each took two wickets.
Eves Realty Greerton picked up a winning draw after failing to bowl Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys College out, for an outright win.
At 127/7, Greerton were in some trouble, however Jared Tutty (25) Murray Jarvis and James Boyd took the Pemberton Park-based side through to 190 all out.
The match ended with the Tauranga students reaching 139/8 -Tim Clarke the top scorer with 52 , whilst Marcel Collett contributed a handy 31. Greerton attack bowler Brett Hampton took four wickets and Murray Jarvis with two.
BOPCA Baywide premier competition
Baywide Cup results:
Carrus Mount Maunganui 236 (Blair McKenzie 100no; Declan Keaney 3/43, Andrew Gibbs 3/55) defeated Bayleys Central Indians 69 (Daniel Hill 6/14).
Eves Realty Greerton 190 (Cam Neal 45, Jared Tutty 25; Rhys Mischewski 3/23, Dominic Crombie 3/41, Iman Singh 2/25, Sean Wakelin 2/39) winning draw from Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys College 139/8 (Tim Clarke 52, Marcel Collett 31; Brett Hampton 4/15, Murray Jarvis 2/37).
New World Te Puke 180 (Tai Bridgman-Raison 58, Stephen Crossan 31, Christian MacDonald 29, Alex Gooding 22; Josh Dwight 3/36, Jono Boult 2/46 lost to Element IMF Cadets 182/7 (J Boult 62, Donovan Deeble 23, Ben Christensen 20, Morton Freer 20; Jonty Grigson 2/37, Brody Gilroy 2/39, Alex Gooding 2/47).
Points table (provisional): Carrus Mount Maunganui 84, Element IMF Cadets 77, Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys College 45, Eves Realty Greerton 36, New World Te Puke 25, Bayleys Central Indians 14.
