Cricket: Black Cap Boult holds on for win

A defiant 17 not out by Black Caps bowler Trent Boult sealed a narrow win for Tauranga over Rotorua in the opening round of the Attrill Cup.

Trent combined with former Canterbury player Corey Anderson (47 not out) to give Tauranga the win at Ray Boord Park over the weekend

Batting first, Rotorua looked to be in trouble when Boult had their first wicket with the third ball of the game.

However, led by captain Peter Wood (39), Lilesh Solanki (38) and Kane Spiers (24), Rotorua grafted a solid 209 all out.

Trent's bowling figures of 2/33 were bettered only by Tommy Clout's 4/29 and Tom MacRury's 2/29.

Rotorua looked to have the visitors in trouble in the second innings with Tauranga down six wickets for just over 70 runs.

But Tauranga youngster Cameron Neal posted a gritty 45, and a captain's knock by Jono Boult (30) helped to steady the ship, although with eight wickets down Rotorua looked to have the upper hand.

Trent Boult came to the wicket and hung around to combine with Anderson, who had no trouble finding the boundary.

Rotorua showed they have a lethal bowling attack, twice having hat-trick chances during the innings.

Jayvant Dhanjee was the best of the bowlers, taking 3/23, with Prashant Dhanjee removing two Tauranga batsmen.

Although chasing a relatively modest total, the combined Mt Maunganui/Te Puke team were also made to fight for victory by Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Batting first on an outstanding grass wicket at Rex Morepeth Park in Whakatane, the home team were dismissed for 141.

Guest batsman Elliot Timoti top scored with 38, with Eastern Bay stalwart Alex Yates contributing 35 runs. Bay of Plenty quick bowler Tony Goodin took 3/15 with Dale Swan, Daniel Hill and Jeremy Bates taking two wickets apiece.

Ben Guild (47) and Peter Drysdale (31) were the main contributors in the combined team's four-wicket win.

Eastern Bay bowlers made sure the visitors had to battle for the win, with Scott Steward and Joel Mathews the pick with two wickets each.