Cricket: Local pride at stake in clash

Rotorua's two top cricket clubs will do battle this weekend. Pictured is Bay of Plenty Indian Sports player Sanjay Unka (batting). Photo / Stephen Parker

A wooden spoon battle will be held at Rotorua's Smallbone Park when winless sides Bayleys Central and Bay of Plenty Indian Sports meet in the last round of the Williams Cup.

The two Rotorua clubs have yet to record a win this season in the Williams Cup - which is the top prize in Baywide premier cricket.

They meet tomorrow afternoon with the losing team finishing bottom on the ladder.

Central captain Jason Trembath said it had been a disappointing season for his side which had seen them bowl and field well but struggle with the bat.

It is a far cry from their position last year which saw them finish top of the ladder heading into the playoffs in the Williams Cup.

"We have been bowling and fielding really well this season - as traditionally Central have always done - but we simply haven't scored enough runs," he said. "Losing a couple of key batsmen has been a big loss for us, as we have been without Vaughan and Kyle Blanchard this season. So it has been a pretty disappointing season but there has been lots of positives [with our fielding and bowling]."

He said they would like to end the season on a high note by beating local rivals the Indians.

"Yea definitely looking forward to it," he said. "It will be good to finish on a positive note."

Central are still in contention to win their third straight Baywide T20 title, which will be decided next weekend in Tauranga.

"That would be a nice consolation. As long as we beat the Indians in the last round [of the T20 competition next weekend] we are guaranteed a final."

Williams Cup:

* Draw for tomorrow at 12pm (round seven):

* Mount Maunganui v Greerton, Blake Park; Te Puke v Tauranga Boys' College, Te Puke Domain; Bayleys Central v Bay of Plenty Indian Sports, Smallbone Park; Cadets bye.

* Table: Mount Maunganui 27, Otumoetai Cadets 27, Te Puke 21, Greerton 15, Tauranga Boys' College 15, Bay of Plenty Indian Sports 3, Bayleys Central 0.