Baywide Cup newcomers GM Painters Lake Taupo CC rubber-stamped their premier credentials with a win Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys' College yesterday.The Tauranga students batted first and posted a respectable target, reaching 199/9 in their 50 overs. Batting at three, Dominic Crombie anchored his side's innings with 77 runs, with Marcel Collett (40) and Tasman Carsons (24) making handy contributions. John Dolan and Moko Rivers took three wickets apiece.
With 35 runs on the board and three batsmen back in the pavilion - the Lake Taupo visitors were in trouble. The arrival of Habib Malik at the crease turned the momentum of the match as he took control to take his side home to victory with an unbeaten 88. The Taupo batsman's runs came from 101 balls, with 10 fours and one six. Roger Urbahn scored at a run a ball to reach 41 before being dismissed and combined with Habib Malik to put on a 90-run partnership.
Element IMF Cadets regained the lead in the Baywide Cup standings with a five-wicket win over Eves Realty Greerton at the Tauranga Domain. Greerton skipper Shane Wineti carried his bat as he posted an undefeated 77 runs in his side's total of 167 all out. Scott Steward did plenty of damage with the ball, taking three wickets for 24 runs.
Cadets lost a wicket in the second over, before Joe Carter and Scott Steward dug in. The home team were in control when Carter fell for 44, with Steward going on to take his side to the win with an unbeaten 55.
