Cricket: Century-makers prove vital

Two Bay of Plenty representative batsmen have blasted their teams into the Williams Cup final after smashing a century apiece in their Baywide semifinals matches.

Greerton master blaster Brett Hampton took the encounter against Cadets played at the Tauranga Domain by the scruff of the neck, blasting his team to victory with 103 not out.

Cadets batted first against the defending Williams Cup champions and were made to work hard for runs against a determined Greerton bowling attack. The key Greerton breakthrough came when former New Zealand under-19 batsmen Joe Carter was dismissed for four after being dropped without scoring.

While Sean Davey (41) and Scott Steward (27) provided some defiance at the wicket, the Cadets innings came to a close when they were bowled out for 154. The Greerton wickets were shared around with Matthew Earl, Brett Hampton, Campbell Thomas and Tommy Clout taking two apiece.

The defending titleholders made an inauspicious start at 20/3, before Brett Hampton launched his assault on a Cadets bowling attack that could only stand and watch the ball sail to the boundary. Such was Hampton's early domination, the first fifty runs of the partnership with Cameron Neal saw the Greerton batting star hold the strike to blast all 50 runs.

Neal played an excellent supporting role, to finish with an unbeaten 34 runs to his name. Hampton smashed a four to bring up his hundred and win the game for his side. Hampton's undefeated 103 runs was his third century of the Baywide club season.

Mount Maunganui batsman Tim Clarke was just as dominant in Mount Maunganui's victory over Te Puke, played at the Te Puke Domain. The Bay of Plenty wicketkeeper smashed a century and put on a 150-odd partnership with Peter Drysdale for the first wicket, to take the game away from the home side.

Te Puke took first use of the batting strip and posted what looked to be a reasonably solid target when they reached 210/8. Skipper Tai Bridgeman-Raison and Steven Crossan top scored for Te Puke with 49 runs apiece, with Peter Drysdale, Tony Goodin and Dan Hill taking two wickets each.

However the first wicket partnership by Clarke and Drysdale put the Mount side in the box seat. While the Mount had just three wickets to spare at the end, they were always in control after the outstanding start. Clarke finished his turn at bat with 113 runs credited to his name with Drysdale reaching 46 before dismissal. Jeremy Bates posted bowling figures of 3/34 with Sean Gibson grabbing two wickets - in a match where the home side put up a spirited performance in spite of tasting defeat.

Bay of Plenty Cricket results;

Williams Cup Semifinals

Cadets 154 (Sean Davey 41, Scott Steward 27; Matt Earl 2/16, Brett Hampton 2/24, Campbell Thomas 2/32, Tommy Clout 2/36) lost to Greerton 156/3 (B Hampton 103no, C. Neal 34no)

Te Puke 210/8 (Tai Bridgeman-Raison 49, Steven Crossan 49; Dan Hill 2/24, Peter Drysdale 2/30, Tony Goodin 2/44) lost to Mount Maunganui 211/7 (Tim Clarke 113, P Drysdale 46; Jeremy Bates 3/34, Sean Gibson 2/34)