Form of Central will be tested in opening game

Bayleys Central batsman Ryan Pedley in action during the Rotorua derby against BOP Indians last Saturday. Photo/Ben Fraser

Rotorua's Central Cricket Club will begin their defence of the Baywide Lonestar T20 competition this weekend.

Baywide T20 premier cricket is played throughout the season, when the Bay of Plenty representative players are unavailable because of Fergus Hickey two-day games.

Just two teams have had their name engraved on the Baywide T20 trophy, since the smash and bash competition was introduced in the 2011/12 season.

In the first two editions, Tauranga Boys' College beat Central and Cadets, followed by Bayleys Central winning back-to-back titles in the last two seasons.

Ray Boord Park in Rotorua is the venue of the first two rounds of the 2015/16 Baywide T20 competition being played tomorrow.

Bayleys Central enter the fray in the late afternoon round, after sitting out round one due to the bye. The long-established Rotorua club will square off with Te Puke and will be without skipper Jason Trembath and Andrew Gibbs, who are required for the Fergus Hickey encounter.

However, the current title holders will be fired up with the vision of a Baywide T20 three peat. Rotorua's other premier side, Bay of Plenty Indian Sports, also only play one game tomorrow against Otumoetai Cadets .

? Baywide Lonestar T20 draw tomorrow at Ray Boord Park, Rotorua:

Round One (noon):
Otumoetai Cadets v Bay of Plenty
Indian Sports, Mount Maunganui v
Te Puke, Tauranga Boys' College v
Greerton, Bayleys Central bye.
Round Two (3.30pm):
Bayleys Central v Te Puke, Otumoetai
Cadets v Greerton, Mount
Maunganui v Tauranga Boys' College,
Bay of Plenty Indian Sports
bye.