Cricket: Central threat to leaders

Rotorua's Central Cricket Club are looking to make the semis. Pictured is Central player Andrew Gibbs. Photo / Stephen Parker

Rotorua's Central Cricket Club will go head-to-head with top-of-the-table Te Puke this weekend as they look to charge into the Williams Cup semifinals.

With three rounds remaining in the battle for Bay of Plenty Cricket's top prize, there is an interesting mix in the top four.

While the usual suspects of Mount Maunganui and Element IMF Otumoetai Cadets sit comfortably in the top four, City Sports Bar Te Puke are at the top of the standings with an unbeaten record and Rotorua Central are also in the top four, looking to make the semifinals for the first time in several seasons.

A battle of attrition is likely to take place at the Te Puke Domain when Central arrive to challenge the home team's unbeaten record.

The return to duty of Te Puke skipper Mitch McCann and Scott and Sam Tallott, who travel from Gisborne each week, will strengthen the home team.

Central have undergone a resurgence in the second half of the season and are showing the form that won them the Williams Cup trophy seven years ago.

Kyle Blanchard has made his mark in Baywide cricket with the bat this season, while Jason Trembath is a quality all-rounder who sits in third place on the wicket-tally list.

Eves Realty Greerton, who won the Williams Cup two seasons ago, need to win all three remaining games to have any chance of qualifying for the playoffs.

This weekend they meet Whakatane United at Pemberton Park in a must-win scenario.

Defending champions Mount Maunganui will be expected to account for the Rotorua-based Bay of Plenty Indians at Mount headquarters at Blake Park, while Cadets and Tauranga Boys' College should have a good battle at Nicholson Field.

Williams Cup draw tomorrow

*Tauranga Boys College v Element IMF Cadets, Nicholson Field
*Eves Realty Greerton v Whakatane United, Pemberton Park
*City Sports Bar Te Puke v Central, Te Puke Domain
*Mount Maunganui v BOP Indians, Blake1.