Cricket: Bay take out Hawke Cup yet again

Bay of Plenty Cricket's cup of success runneth over after their team secured the Hawke Cup yesterday.

The team have become the most successful team in the province's history after they defended the cup for the third consecutive match.

Thanks to some inspired bowling from fast bowler Tony Goodin, who picked up 12 wickets for the three day match, Bay of Plenty left South Canterbury rueing the decision to bat first on a bowler friendly Smallbone Park day one pitch last Friday.

Although South Canterbury had little choice to bat first, considering they needed an out-right win over the home side if they were to have any chance of taking the Hawke Cup back to the South Island.

Canterbury struggled on a pitch which offered assistance to any bowler willing to bend their backs. Goodin was the man who did this and more, with his first over claiming three wickets.

The rapid loss of wickets had the visitors reeling and if it was not for opening batsman JR Laming who top-scored with 80 the southern men would have struggled to reach 100.

Goodin was helped out in the bowling department by Brett Hampton, who chipped in with two middle order wickets before Goodin mopped up the tail.

Bay of Plenty looked to consolidate their bowling with some solid batting from their top order batsmen with captain Peter Drysdale leading the way with a solid 77. Six of the five top order batsmen got a start in their first innings.

The home side grabbed a first innings lead of 188 after they compiled 323/all out and it looked like they could have the game finished by day two.

However, the visitors fought back in their second innings with Nick Horsley 69, Dave Laming 63 not out, Glen Drake 47 and James Laming 43 all contributing to take Canterbury past Bay of Plenty's lead scoring 270/all out. It was Goodin again who did all the damage, picking up five wickets, with Hampton again grabbing two wickets.

Bay of Plenty went into yesterday's final day chasing 82 for an outright win. The home side chased down the total for the loss of five wickets with Drysdale top scoring with 23.

Scoreboard: South Canterbury

First innings; 135 (J Laming 80, Bowlers; S Carlaw 7/109)

Second innings; 270 (J Laming 43, G Drake 47, N Horsley 69, D Laming 63, Bowlers; S Carlaw 5/23)

Bay of Plenty

First innings; 323 (P Drysdale 77, J Carter 59, B Popli 44, S Steward 21, B Hampton 41, T Clarke 30, Bowlers; T Goodin 7/42, B Hampton 2/41)

Second innings; 83 (P Drysdale 23, Bowlers; T Goodin 5/91, B Hampton 2/43)

Result: Bay of Plenty win by five wickets.