Central Indians' player Magan Vashisht in action for his side. PHOTO/FILE
It was a winning start to the year for Bayleys Central Indians in their opening game of the BOPCA Williams Cup.
The Rotorua side, who batted first, won by 31 runs against defending champions New World Te Puke, away yesterday in the 50-over game.
The away team set a target of 150 runs, all out off 33 overs, for the home side to chase. Ajay Kumar top scored with 56 runs off 46 balls while co-captain Andrew Gibbs reached a solid 31 at the Te Puke Domain.
Te Puke bowler Calem Taylor was in top form taking five wickets for 23 runs and teammate Cam Riley also bowled well with three scalps.
In the second innings Central Indians displayed dominance on the wicket. Gibbs grabbed two early wickets before the home side's Gareth Wallace (33), Josh Earle (20) and Alex Gooding (20) restored some stability to their sides turn at bat.
But Himesh Gosai wrapped up the result with three wickets for 27 runs, as the home side were bowled out for 119 in the 38th over with Central Indians co-captain Shonit Chandra also impressing taking two wickets.
Chandra said despite his team "collapsing at the crease" during the first innings he was delighted with the result and highlighted the team's bowling attack.
"It is a really amazing feeling," he said. "A score of 150 wasn't good enough and we collapsed a bit at the end. But the bowling attack really stepped up and we just kept on going. We played some excellent tight overs and this new format of the game really worked for us."
Gibbs said it was a "huge boost" for his side after they finished bottom of the table after the season's first Bay of Plenty premier competition - the Baywide Cup.
"The win will give our boys a huge amount of confidence after not producing a winning result in the first half of the season," he said.
"We proved to ourselves against Te Puke that we have a side that will be extremely competitive in the Williams Cup and look forward to the rest of the competition with genuine confidence".
Meanwhile Element IMF Cadets cruised home to a nine-wicket win over Eves Realty Greerton and took home the Baker Cup (WBOPCA Challenge Trophy) from their opposition at the Tauranga Domain on Saturday.
Cadets bowler Ben Christensen taking five wickets as the visitors were bowled out for just 89 runs. The home side's Morton Freer (29no) and Jono Boult (24) then did the damage with the bat.
Carrus Mount Maunganui also made a definitive statement after they defeated Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys' College in a four-wicket win.
The Mount posted a hefty 280/6 target in 50 overs. Brenton Thompson hit an impressive 97 runs in a 160-run opening stand with Nick Smith (63).
In the second innings the Tauranga students were then removed for 170. Batsman Charles Williams posted an undefeated 70 whilst the Mount's quick bowler Chris Atkinson returned 3/27 with Luke Tatley and Peter Drysdale taking two wickets apiece.
BOPCA Baywide premier competition results
Williams Cup - round one:
Bayleys Central Indians 150 (AJ Kumar 56, Andrew Gibbs 31, Stephen Nicholas 24; Calem Taylor 5/23, Cam Riley 3/25) defeated New World Te Puke 119 (Gareth Wallace 33, Josh Earle 20, Alex Gooding 20; Himesh Gosai 3/27, A Gibbs 2/16, Shonit Chandra 2/27).
Eves Realty Greerton 89 (Ben Christensen5/23) lost to Element IMF Cadets 93/1 (Morton Freer 29no, Jono Boult 24).
Carrus Mount Maunganui 280/6 (Brenton Thompson 97, Nick Smith 63, Peter Drysdale 52no, Matt Golding 26no; Rhys Mischewski 2/55) defeated Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys' College 170 (Charles Williams 70no; Chris Atkinson 3/27, Luke Tatley 2/26, P Drysdale 2/41).
Points table: Carrus Mount Maunganui 6, Bayleys Central Indians 6, Element IMF Cadets 6, Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys' College 0, New World Te Puke 0, Eves Realty Greerton 0.