Carrus Mount Maunganui and Eves Realty Greerton cemented their places at the top of the Williams Cup standings on Saturday but in contrasting circumstances.
Greerton hosted New World Te Puke at Pemberton Park with the visitors batting first to set Greerton a solid target after being bowled out for 229. Gareth Wallace top-scored with 53 runs from 86 balls with Tai Bridgman-Raison and Dan Price making solid contributions. Greerton leggie James Boyd was the best of his side's bowling attack, taking 3-45.
The home side were up with the required run rate from the start, with opener Ben Lind posting 43 runs before being dismissed. Lee Watkins and recent Greerton recruit Pip Thickpenny settled down and put on a 154-run partnership to take their side home to an eight-wicket victory. Watkins finished on an unbeaten 68 with Thickpenny posting 67 not out.
Mount Maunganui, missing five first-pick players because of representative commitments and injury, worked hard to reach 147 all out against Bayleys Central Indians at Blake Park. Logan Carr was the best of the Mount batsmen with 35 while veteran all-rounder Nick Smith made his usual handy contribution to his side's total. Jake Rowe finished his allotted overs with 4-17 with Andrew Gibbs and Chris Tupea chiming in with two wickets apiece.
The Rotorua visitors went out to bat full of confidence and at 60 for two were well in the hunt for the win points on offer. The Mount Maunganui bowlers then warmed to their task, led by a four-wicket bag from Smith, and removed Central Indians for 100 to retain their unbeaten start to the Williams Cup.
