Cricket: Western Bay sides make it into final

Greerton batsman Brett Hampton in action for Bay of Plenty was a stand out for his club and will be a crucial cog if his side is to be successful in the Baywide Cup final next week. Photo/File.

It will be an all Western Bay of Plenty final for this year's Baywide Cup final.

Defending Baywide Cup titleholders Mount Maunganui and Element IMF Cadets will fight it out for the title after both sides cruised to comprehensive victories.

Mount Maunganui had the luxury of already having booked a finals berth, when they squared off against Eves Realty Greerton at Blake Park. The visitors batted first and were bundled out for 148 in the 45th over. Greerton batsman Brett Hampton's innings stood out like a beacon with a hard fought 62, with his teams next highest score of 17, reflecting a mediocre batting performance.

Mount bowlers Tony Goodin and Dale Swan, who are having a real battle at the top of the Baywide wicket tally took four wickets apiece, while Mike Jones also joined the party with two bowling scalps. The Mount Maunganui reply was a walk in the park with the defending champions getting home with eight wickets to spare. Mount keeper Tim Clarke top scored with an unbeaten 45, while skipper Peter Drysdale posted an undefeated 43.

Cadets win over Tauranga Boys College was even more authoritative than their finals opponent. Tauranga Boys player/coach Mark Orchard blasted 78, with the only other score of note being a gritty 26 from the bat of Ben Musgrave, as the students were removed for 180. Northern Knight Jono Boult took four wickets while Cadets new season recruit Chris Page finished with figures of 3/22.

The home side was always way ahead of the required run rate and cemented their Baywide Cup finals berth in two weeks time, for the loss of a solitary wicket. Ben Jensen (68no) and Joe Carter (48no) took their team to victory with Jono Boult also in good touch with 49 runs.

While the two games in Rotorua both saw the first innings completed, rain stopped play in the second innings. City Sports Bar Te Puke took control from the opening ball of their contest with Central at Smallbone Park posting a 270/3. The Te Puke runs came from Bay of Plenty batsman Mitch McCann who topped scored with 92, with Sam Tallott almost as dominate with 89 runs to his name. Central were in some trouble at 50/5 when rain saw the match abandoned

BOP Indians bowled with genuine enthusiasm to remove East Bay United for 144 with Prashant Dhanjee returning 4/31. The home side were at 51/3 when rain stopped play, with Eastern Bay college student Jeff Omar taking all three wickets.

Bay of Plenty Cricket Results

Baywide Cup

Tauranga Boys College 180 (Mark Orchard 78, Ben Musgrave 26; Jono Boult 4/40, Chris Page 3/22) lost to Element IMF Cadets 181/1 (Ben Jensen 68no, J Boult 49, Joe Carter 48no).

Eves Realty Greerton 148 (Brett Hampton 62; Tony Goodin 4/25, Dale Swan 4/48, Mike Jones 2/46) lost to Mount Maunganui 149/2 (Tim Clarke 45no, Peter Drysdale 35no).

City Sports Bar Te Puke 270/3 (Mitch McCann 92, Sam Tallott 89, Stephen Crossan 28no, Scott Tallott 24no) - Central 50/5 (Jeremy Bates 3/15, Abdul Sharib 2/19) when rain stopped play.

East Bay United 144 (Mike Young 39, Richard Nillesen 21; Prashant Dhanjee 4/31, M Chagan 3/39, S Chandra 2/14) - BOP Indians 50/3 (U Morarji 27; Jeff Omar 3/23) when rain stopped play. - additional reporting