Pride on the line in Rotorua derby

FRIENDLY FIRE: The Rotorua derby is on today between Central and Bay of Plenty Indians. Pictured is Central's Kade Thompson in action last weekend. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER 101113SP16

The Rotorua derby will take centre stage today at Smallbone Park as the Bay of Plenty Indians look to get their first win against Central Cricket Club.

Rotorua's two premier cricket sides will meet for the first time this season, during round six of the Baywide Cup.

Indians captain Prashant Dhanjee said his side always enjoyed the local clash which had plenty of pride at stake.

"We know a lot of these guys and they know us. We are friends off the field but when you get on to the field it is a different story.

"So it is definitely motivation to get one up on them. No one wants to lose because there is a lot of Rotorua pride at stake."

He said the Indians had never beaten Central's premier team before, so it made for some added motivation.

"We definitely have the talent, it is just a matter of clicking on the day."

Big brother Central will head into the match as favourites after registering two wins this season in the Baywide Cup.

Meanwhile, the Indians are yet to register a win.

Dhanjee said they would be missing three first team players who were away at a wedding, but they had plenty of other talent coming into the ranks.

Bay of Plenty representative batsman Bharat Popli will skipper the side while regular team captain Dhanjee is away.

Meanwhile, Element IMF Otumoetai Cadets have gone to the top of the standings for the first time this season.

Last Saturday produced another epic battle between Cadets and defending Baywide Cup champions Mount Maunganui. In what turned out to be a real war of attrition, Cadets prevailed.

Today Cadets will face another stern challenge when they play Eves Realty Greerton at Pemberton Park.

Greerton lurk just off the pace in third in the standings.

Mount Maunganui will want to bounce back from their first loss of the season when they face East Bay United (Whakatane) today.

City Sports Bar Te Puke, who have moved back into the top four, need to beat Tauranga Boys' College to retain an outside chance of making the Baywide title decider.

The two top ranked sides in the competition after round seven of the Baywide Cup will play in the final.

Points: Cadets 83.5, Mt Maung. 81.00, Greerton 73.5, Te Puke 63.5, TRG Boys 61.5, Central 58.00, Indians 39.5, East Bay 30.5

Baywide Cup draw for today (games start at 12pm):
Tauranga Boys College v City Sports Bar Te Puke, Nicholson Field; Eves Realty Greerton v Element IMF Cadets, Pemberton Park; East Bay United v Mount Maunganui, Rex Morpeth Park; Central v BOP Indians, Smallbone Park