Central Indians aim to finish with a flourish

Rotorua's Central Indians aim to finish their Baywide Cup campaign on a high. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

In many respects it's been a Baywide Cup for Rotorua's Bayleys Central Indians to forget, but the side aim to finish with a flourish.

Central Indians take on fourth-placed Eves Realty Greerton at Smallbone Park in the last game of the round robin competition tomorrow.

Indians' fate to finish at the foot the table has already been sealed but a first outright win of the season would give them a boost going into the other Baywide competitions after Christmas.

The home side go into the game with confidence after sharing the points with second-placed Carrus Mount Maunganui and putting in a good performance before the game was abandoned last weekend.

"We took it as a win and everyone has been playing well at training this week," said co-captain Shonit Chandra. "The team may be at the bottom of the table but that doesn't reflect how we've played this season so far.

"This hasn't been our competition but each week we have been getting stronger and we are already targeting success next year. But we need to make sure we end this competition properly. We're at home which is a nice way to end and we'll put on a show."

Meanwhile the clash at Blake Park between Element IMF Cadets and Carrus Mount Maunganui has turned into a title decider, with the two Western Bay of Plenty teams occupying the top two spots on the points ladder.

Two-time winners Cadets enjoy a 20-point lead and with 20 points up for grabs a Cadets winning draw would be enough to take out the first-past-the-post competition.

Five-time champions Mount Maunganui must win outright and ensure they maintain a superior run rate.

Cadets all-rounder Donovan Deeble will be one to watch having blasted the season's highest score of 151 not out and sits second in the Baywide Cup battingstakes, with 250 runs. Morton Freer is another Cadets all-rounder posting more than 200 runs with a highest score of 104 not out.

Meanwhile, Mount Maunganui batsman Blair McKenzie enjoyed the rare distinction of hitting a century in both Baywide and Western Bay of Plenty Reserve Grade cricket this season. Long-time Mount player Peter Drysdale and Ben Musgrave are also match winners with the bat.

The leading bowler in the Baywide Cup title race is Mount Maunganui's captain Dale Swan, with 16 bowling scalps and best figures of 4/5. Nick Smith is another Mount player to star with the ball in the Baywide Cup with 14 wickets.

Cadets are also well served in the bowling ranks, with Gurwinder Singh making his mark in his first season with the club, have best bowling figures of 5/20. Donovan Deeble, Morton Freer and Cadets stalwart Ben Christensen also give their side a number of options with the ball.

BOPCA Baywide premier competition fixtures

Baywide Cup,
Saturday, 12pm start:

Carrus Mount Maunganui v Element IMF Cadets, Blake Park 1, Tauranga.

Bayleys Central Indians v Eves Realty Greerton, Smallbone Park, Rotorua.

Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys' College v New World Te Puke, Blake Park 3, Tauranga.

Points table: Element IMF Cadets 164, Carrus Mount Maunganui 144, Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys' College 132, Eves Realty Greerton 116, New World Te Puke 96, Bayleys Central Indians 25.

Baywide Cup previous winners:

2015/16 - Greerton
2014/15 - Greerton
2013/14 - Mount Maunganui
2012/13- Mount Maunganui
2011/12 - Cadets
2010/11 -Mount Maunganui
2009/10 - Mount Maunganui
2008/09 - Mount Maunganui
2007/08 - Cadets