Bay sets its sights on Fergus Hickey trophy

Bay of Plenty have a point to prove, but it's the points on offer this weekend at Mt Maunganui's Bay Oval that has them fired up to add more silverware to the association's haul this season.

Bay of Plenty have the chance to win Northern Districts' prized Fergus Hickey Rosebowl at Bay Oval in their season-ender against arch rival Hamilton.

It has become a showdown for the silverware, with Hamilton arriving today with 28 Fergus Hickey points to Bay of Plenty's 27. Success would give Bay the Rosebowl for the third time in three seasons to go with the Basil McBurney Trophy the region's development side won last month.

Hamilton are the top minor association in the country, defending the Hawke Cup twice this season against Counties-Manukau and Nelson, with last weekend's 118-run outright win remarkable, given Hamilton trailed by 52 runs on the first innings in the three-day match.

Bay are also still smarting after being outgunned by Hamilton at the ND one-day tournament in November, with Bay out for 164 chasing Hamilton's powerful 315-5.

All of which has left Bay skipper Jono Boult salivating at the prospect of going head-to-head with their rivals.

"It's a big weekend and all the boys are looking forward to it - it's the game of the season for us. Hamilton should arrive pretty match fit after their two Hawke Cup games and always front with a strong side."

Boult's battle - verbal and physical - with his Northern Knights teammate Anton Devcich would have been one to relish but the left-hander is unlikely to play, with a Plunket Shield recall likely.

Bay of Plenty is unchanged from the side that sent Poverty Bay packing last weekend at the Bay Oval, with Boult particularly impressive with a 10-wicket haul from his offspin.

A remarkable 30 wickets going into this weekend has put him clear of Black Cap Graeme Aldridge's tally of 26 wickets in the 2004-05 season, with Boult's 6-32 in Poverty Bay's second innings his second six-wicket haul this season, just the sixth Bay player to achieve the feat.

"It was good to get some wickets if the [Knights] selectors are still keeping an eye on me," Boult said. "With first innings enough for either team we'll really have to see what the wicket is like if I win the toss."

Bay of Plenty: Jono Boult (capt), Peter Drysdale, Joe Carter, Bharat Popli, Matthew Drake, Scott Steward, Tim Clarke, Brett Hampton, Dale Swan, Sean Davey, Tony Goodin, Amandeep Singh.

Fergus Hickey points: Hamilton 28, BOP 27, Counties Manukau 24, Northland 13, Poverty Bay 8, Waikato Valley 4.