Cricket: Wins prove hard to come by

Bharat Popli's unbeaten half century has helped the Bay of Plenty Indians to a losing draw with City Sports Bar Te Puke. Photo / George Novak

Central and Eastern sides have had mixed fortunes in the latest round of the Baywide Cup.

Rotorua's main hope, Rotorua Central, continued their lean run with a disappointing six-wicket loss to Otumoetai Cadets at Smallbone Park, while the Bay of Plenty Indians produced one of their better showings in earning a losing draw against City Sports Bar Te Puke.

Whakatane United performed by far the worst, succumbing after being rolled for 95 by Greerton at Rex Morpeth Park in Whakatane.

Central would have liked their chances against Cadets but again failed to make enough runs to give themselves a chance.

They mustered just 149, with Johnny Barrow and Ryan Pedley both failing to kick on after reaching the forties.

Northern Knights player Joe Carter made short work of the total, finishing on 68 not out after a decisive partnership with Ben Christensen (49).

Te Puke posted 228 against the Bay of Plenty Indians, with former Bay player Tai Bridgman-Raison finishing on a neat 100.

The Rotorua-based side held on to finish at 187/6, with Bharat Popli stroking his way to 53 not out.

Greerton bowler Dan Spencer was the chief destroyer against Whakatane United, picking up 7/23 to decide the contest in the early afternoon.

Shane Wineti top-scored for Greerton with 29, with Richie Earl finishing unbeaten on 20.

The Baywide Cup looks set to be a three-horse race with two rounds remaining in the round robin.

Carrus Mount Maunganui continue to lead the standings after an outright victory against Tauranga Boys' College at Nicholson Field.

The Tauranga students batted first and were removed for just 102, with Sean Dykes and Gareth Wallace both reaching the twenties. Northern Knights quick bowler Tony Goodin grabbed four wickets at a cost of 22 runs.

Pete Drysdale and Ben Musgrave got the defending champions home with nine wickets in hand.

- Bay of Plenty Cricket Results 22 November 2014, Baywide Cup

Tauranga Boys College 102 (S Dykes 26, G Wallace 24; T Goodin 4/22, D Hill 2/20) lost to Carrus Mount Maunganui 104/1 (P Drysdale 53no, B Musgrave 44no)

Whakatane United 95 (D Spencer 7/23, C Thomas 2/8) lost to Eves Realty Greerton 98/4 (S Wineti 29, R Earl 20no)

Central 149 (J Barrow 46, R Pedley 41; C MacDonald 4/16, D Deeble 3/26, M Bidois 2/27) lost to Element IMF Cadets 150/4 (J Carter 68no, B Christensen 49)

City Sports Bar Te Puke 228 (T Bridgman-Raison 100, M McCann 30, J Dwight 20; J Dhanjee 4/36) drew with BOP Indians 187/6 (B Popli 53no; O Smithson 2/23, M McCann 2/24)

Points Table (Provisional)

Carrus Mount Maunganui 76.00. Element IMF Cadets 69.00, Eves Realty Greerton 65.5 Tauranga Boys College 38.5, City Sports Bar Te Puke 36.00, Whakatane United 24.5, Central 23.5, BOP Indians 15.00.