Cricket: Cup rivalry to resume

Te Puke batsman Tai Bridgeman Raison batting against Greerton earlier in the season.

The time honoured Tauranga Cricket Association Baker Cup has found new life as the WBOPCA Challenge trophy this season.

It will be on the line at Pemberton Park tomorrow when holders Eves Realty Greerton square off with New World Te Puke.

Greerton will bring an unbeaten season record to their home ground, and Te Puke will likely to have to bring their A game if they wish to wrest the Baker Cup away.

No result was produced in the first meeting between the two rivals in the Baywide Cup, with persistent drizzle later in the day resulting in points being shared. Te Puke completed their turn at bat to post 194/5, with Tai Bridgman-Raison (88) and skipper Stephen Crossan (41) getting amongst the runs. Greerton leggie James Boyd grabbed three wickets before the game came to an early end due to the inclement weather.

Element IMF Cadets host another Bay of Plenty inter-city battle when Bayleys Central visit the Tauranga Domain tomorrow. The Rotorua club likes nothing better than to return home with a Western Bay of Plenty team scalp.

Englishman Tom Boorman is on his second trip to play in the Western Bay of Plenty and is a big part of the Cadets' batting firepower, with Bay rep bowler Donovan Deeble the home side's key strike bowler. Graham Wiles, one of Central's overseas players this season, is a genuine wicket taker with the ball in hand.

Williams Cup titleholders Mount Maunganui have jumped out to an early lead in the title race with two from two wins. This weekend they play Bay of Plenty Indians at Blake Park.

Two Mount youngsters Luke Tatley and Kyle Dovey have been in good form with the ball all season for the Baywide champions. Former Western Bay reserve batsmen GS Gargan has made the step up to Baywide cricket for Bay of Plenty Indians and could trouble the Mount Maunganui bowlers.

BOPCA Williams Cup draw, tomorrow, 12pm start:

Carrus Mount Maunganui v Bay of Plenty Indians, Blake 4; Element IMF Cadets v Bayleys Central, Tauranga Domain; Eves Realty Greerton v New World Te Puke, Pemberton Park; Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys' College the bye.

Williams Cup points table:

Carrus Mount Maunganui 12, Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys' College 6, Eves Realty Greerton 6, Element IMF Cadets 6, New World Te Puke 6, Bayleys Central 0, Bay of Plenty Indians 0.