Eves Realty Greerton's continued unbeaten run and a record-equalling century dominated the 2018 Williams Cup title chase on Saturday.
A home semifinal awaits Greerton after they dispatched Carrus Mount Maunganui, with both sides entering the contest with unbeaten Williams Cup starts.
Batting first, Greerton reached 209/8 in their allotted overs with Pip Thickpenny — who was playing Reserve grade cricket for Whakatane United in the first half of the season — top scoring with 80 runs. Dan Smith produced the Mount's best bowling figures of 3-37 with Nick Smith also taking three wickets.
The home team made a valiant attempt for victory and were right in the game throughout most of the encounter before the Greerton bowlers tightened the screws. Mount Maunganui were finally removed for 191 to give Greerton a home semifinal despite the Pemberton Park-based side having a bye in next weekend's final qualifying round. Logan Carr posted a half century with Josh Bates taking 4-35 for Greerton.
New World Te Puke's Tai Bridgman-Raison took his tally of centuries to 13 when his team defeated GM Painters Lake Taupo CC in a high-scoring match at Owen Delaney Park in Taupo. The visitors posted 267-7 with Bridgman-Raison belting 146 at a tad under a run a ball in an innings that contained 22 boundaries.
