Cricket: College teach Central a lesson

Rotorua Central have been outplayed by a rampant Tauranga Boys' College in the final of the Baywide Twenty20 competition.

The Bay of Plenty cricket season was brought to a close with the championship final in Mount Maunganui on Saturday.

Tauranga Boys', who finished preliminary play as the top qualifier, batted first against Central and set a sizeable target of 163/5. Tauranga Boys' coach Mark Orchard posted a match-winning 47, with fellow teacher Charles Williams contributing 39 and all-rounder Tom McRury a useful 29.

Ben Watkinson was the best of the Central bowling attack with 3/40.

Central's turn at the crease was punctuated by the coming and going of their batsmen to the crease, as they were rolled for just 68. Peter Wood was a shining beacon at one end while his teammates rolled in and out at the other, the Central skipper finishing with a gritty 42 to his name.

Tauranga Boys' young bowlers were in outstanding form with Henry Conway leading the way with four wickets.

Tom McRury finished with 3/33, while Tom Clout took two wickets for just 12 runs.

It was the second title for the Tauranga youngsters this season, after claiming the 2011 Northern Districts Gillette Cup title.

Tauranga Boys' College 163/5 (Mark Orchard 47, Charles Williams 39, Tom McRury 29, Ben Watkinson 3/40) defeated iTCo Rotorua Central 68 (Peter Wood 42; Henry Conway 4/13, T McRury 3/33, Tom Clout 2/12).