In spite of a hard fought century from long-time New World Te Puke player Tai Bridgman-Raison, the home team went down to arch-rivals Carrus Mount Maunganui in a high-scoring clash at the Te Puke Domain on Saturday.
Te Puke took first use of the batting strip and posted Mount Maunganui a solid target of nearly five runs per over after they were dismissed for 241. Bridgman-Raison was in superb touch with the bat and blasted the ball to all confines of the Te Puke Domain before being removed for 122. The century saw him join legendary Te Puke, ND and Black Caps player ADG (Andy) Roberts with the most centuries for the Te Puke premier team.
Mount Maunganui weren't fazed by the solid target and took to the Te Puke's bowlers from the opening ball. The Mount top order of Ben Musgrave and Peter Drysdale both belted half centuries. Blair McKenzie (56no) and Dan Hill (32no) then put on a winning partnership as Mount Maunganui got home for the loss of just three wickets.
Element IMF Cadets joined Mount Maunganui at the top of the Williams Cup standings after they beat Baywide Cup titleholders Evers Realty Greerton at Mitchell Park. Greerton batted first and were bowled out early for just 111, with Chris Norton (4/33) and Ben Christensen (3/4) doing the damage with the ball.
The Greerton bowlers fired into their task with plenty of enthusiasm and made the Cadets top order fight for runs. Tom Boorman top scored with a gritty 21 to help Cadets home for the loss of five wickets. Dan Spencer was the best of the Greerton bowling attack taking 3-28.
