Defending Baywide Cup titleholders Eves Realty Greerton and Element IMF Cadets qualified for next weekend's 2015 Baywide Cup final in very contrasting circumstances on Saturday.
Cadets comprehensively defeated New World Te Puke at the Tauranga Domain in a winner-take-all shootout. Cadets declared at 294/5 in the 46th over, Northern Knights all-rounder Jono Boult top scoring with an aggressive 65 and Sean Davey making 64, Ben Christensen 50 and Donovan Deeble and Tom Boorman making handy contributions. Brody Gilroy took 3-46.
Te Puke were still in with a chance of a draw, which would have taken them to the title decider until the end came with 12 balls remaining in the match when Te Puke were bowled out for 154. Gareth Wallace made 33, with Boult taking 4/27 and Lou Brook 3-25.
High drama was played out at Pemberton Park, where Greerton sneaked home against Bayleys Central in a match where less than 200 runs were scored. The home side ripped through the Central batsmen to remove them for 87, with ND all-rounder Brett Hampton taking 5-20.
Greerton were cruising at 68 without loss before losing four wickets at the 69-run mark. Skipper Shane Wineti and Campbell Thomas saw Greerton through to victory and a place in the title decider.
