Cricket: Cadets, Tauranga Boys lead stakes

Two teams have the chance to secure finals spots for the Lone Star T20 competition as the eight premier teams battle it out in the event's last qualifying round.

The second piece of Bay of Plenty Cricket silverware will be presented at Ferguson Park tomorrow, with four teams in contention for the trophy.

If competition leaders Cadets and defending champions Tauranga Boys College both win their last qualifying encounter they will battle out the T20 final - but if one or both fall at the last hurdle, Greerton and Mount Maunganui are lurking ready to pounce.

The real decider, is likely to be the clash on the grass on Ferguson 3, between Cadets and Mount Maunganui. The archrivals have battled in all forms of the game dating back several decades, with their Williams Cup clash last weekend testifying to the intensity of the rivalry. Mount chased down Cadets total of 200 odd runs with just two wickets to spare.

While both sides will have key players on Bay of Plenty representative duty, the two heroes from last week's encounter will be playing at Ferguson Park.

Ben Christensen smashed his second century of the season's second half, reaching 116 before being dismissed. Mount's Ben Guild, who top scored with a match-winning 75, has been in good form of late and is arguably one of the most improved batsmen in Baywide cricket this season.

Tauranga Boys will earn the right to defend their title if they can get past East Bay United. The key to their winning is player/coach Mark Orchard, who has been on fire with the bat in the Williams Cup. He has smashed 450 runs in just six games with a top score of 121 not out.

But the Eastern Bay side have a couple of match winners in their ranks. Master blaster Alex Yates is capable of changing a game in a few overs, with the boundaries under siege, as he takes to the opposition bowlers with a rare enthusiasm. East Bay strike bowler Joel Mathews has taken 25 wickets in Baywide cricket this season and is capable of changing a game's momentum.

While Williams Cup competition leaders Te Puke are out of contention in the T20 title race, they are capable of raining on Greerton's parade. To reach the final Greerton must beat Te Puke, then have Cadets defeat Mount and for Tauranga Boys to lose.

BOPCA Lone Star (Premier) T20:

Round 7 (12pm): Tauranga Boys College v East Bay United, Ferguson1; Eves Realty Greerton v Te Puke, Ferguson2; BOP Indians v Central, Ferguson4; Cadets v Mount Maunganui, Ferguson3.

Playoffs (3.30pm).

Lone Star T20 Points (Win, 2 points)

Cadets 10, Tauranga Boys College 9, Greerton 8, Mount Maunganui 8, Central 6, Te Puke 5, BOP Indians 2, East Bay United 0.