Cricket: Central Indians on track for semi-finals of Baywide premier competition

Bayleys Central Indians batsman Ryan Neves was in sparkling form against Te Puke. Photo / Stephen Parker

Bayleys Central Indians are on the verge of a Baywide semi-final spot in three weeks' time, after a convincing win over New World Te Puke.

Batting first at Smallbone Park yesterday,Te Puke were removed for 167, with Brody Gilroy and Cam Riley each scoring 30 runs. Jake Rowe and Chris Tupea both grabbed three-wicket bags for the Rotorua-based team.

Bay of Plenty Lakeland senior secondary representative Ryan Neves was in sparkling form with the bat, leading his side to a six-wicket win. The Central Indians opener finished with 78 runs from 91 balls. Northern Districts batsman Bharat Popli posted a handy 30 not out while Stephen Nicholls reached the 20s, in a comfortable victory.

Eves Realty Greerton sit alone at the top of the Williams Cup standings, albeit with the bye to come in two weeks' time, after defeating Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys' College.

Tauranga Boys' took first use of their home strip at Nicholson Field and were bowled out for 153. Taylor Bettleheim top scored with 36, with Tim Clarke, Dominic Crombie and Iman Singh reaching the 20s. Greerton leg-spinner James Boyd took his Williams Cup wicket tally to 14, after taking four wickets for 40 runs.

Greerton were well in charge with 97 runs and seven wickets in hand. However, the loss of two quick wickets saw the team's lower order scrambling to pad up. ND all-rounder Brett Hampton, making a rare appearance for his club, then took control to hammer his team to victory. An unbeaten 36 off 17 balls, at a strike rate over 200, powered his team to a five wicket win. The short and sharp innings contained five 6s and a four. Tauranga Boys' mentor Charles Williams took three wickets.

GM Painters Lake Taupo CC, spent longer on their journey to and from the Western Bay of Plenty than on the field against Element IMF Cadets at the Tauranga Domain. The Taupo side, who won the toss and elected to bat, were rolled for just 47 runs. Gurwinder Singh, returning from injury, sent a message to the Bay of Plenty selectors with five wickets for 19 runs.

Cadets cruised to victory in the eighth over, without loss, with Sean Davey and Ruben Clinton getting the required total. A feature of the encounter was the premier debut of 14-year-old Dandre du Plessis who has shown outstanding form in the age-group representative ranks.

Williams Cup results - Saturday

GM Painters Lake Taupo CC 47 (G Singh 5/19, S Davey 2/10) lost to Element IMF Cadets 48/0 (S Davey 23no).

Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys' College 153 (T Bettleheim 36, T Clarke 29, D Crombie 26, I Singh 22; J Boyd 4/40, S Wineti 2/16, B Hampton 2/20) lost to Eves Realty Greerton 155/5 (T MacRury 44, B Hampton 36no, P Thickpenny 27; C Williams 3/34).

New World Te Puke 167 (B Gilroy 30, C Riley 30, S Crossan 25, D Price 25; J Rowe 3/22, C Tupea 3/37) lost to Bayleys Central Indians 173/4 (R Neves 78, B Popli 30no, S Nicholls 20; M Leef 2/30).

Carrus Mount Maunganui the bye.

Points

Greerton 27, Mount Maunganui 21, Central Indians 21, Tauranga Boys College 9, Cadets 9, Te Puke 3, Lake Taupo CC 3.