Eves Realty Greerton and Element IMF Cadets will fight out the 2018 Williams Cup title at the Bay Oval next Saturday after the semifinals and preliminary finals were completed over the weekend.
Greerton batted first against Bayleys Central Indians, in the major semifinal at Pemberton Park, and made a solid but circumspect start. Pip Thickpenny kept the scoreboard ticking over and finished with his sides top score of 54. A ninth wicket partnership between keeper Tom Renouf and Jared Tutty took the hosts through to 192/8 in their 50 overs. Jake Rowe was the best of the Rotorua side's bowlers with 3/29.
Attacking Greerton bowling from the first ball of the second innings quickly had the Central Indians batsmen on the back foot. The first wicket fell with just four runs on the board and quickly became 2/17 and 3/24. At six down for 34 runs there was some desperation showing, however a stubborn 10th wicket partnership between Andrew Gibbs (27 not out) and Shonit Chandra (25) gave the Central Indians batting attack respectability as they were eventually removed for 134.
Bay of Plenty representative pace man Tommy Clout was in scintillating form taking four wickets for 32 runs. Jared Tutty took three wickets and James Boyd took two.
Cadets earned a trip to Rotorua todayto fight out the preliminary final against Central Indians, after they ended Carrus Mount Maunganui's season in the sudden-death minor semifinal at Blake Park.
