Baywide Cup newcomers GM Painters Lake Taupo CC rubber-stamped their premier credentials when they won their first Baywide cricket encounter by beating Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys' College at Nicholson Field.
The Tauranga students batted first and posted a respectable target of 199/9 in their 50 overs. Batting at three, Dominic Crombie anchored his sides innings with 77 with Marcel Collett (40) and Tasman Carsons (24) making handy contributions. John Dolan and Moko Rivers took three wickets each.
With 35 runs on the board and three batsmen back in the pavilion the visitors were in trouble. The arrival of Habib Malik at the crease turned the momentum of the match as he took control to take his side home to victory with an unbeaten 88.
The Taupo batsman's runs came from 101 balls with 10 fours and one big hit over the boundary ropes. Roger Urbahn scored at a run a ball to reach 41 before being dismissed and combined with Malik to put on a 90-run partnership.
Element IMF Cadets regained the lead in the Baywide Cup standings with a five-wicket win over Eves Realty Greerton at the Tauranga Domain. Greerton skipper Shane Wineti carried his bat as he posted an undefeated 77 in his side's disappointing total of 167 all out. Scott Steward did plenty of damage with the ball, taking 3-24.
Cadets lost a wicket in the second over, before Joe Carter and Steward dug in. The home team were in control when Carter fell for 44, with Steward going on to take his side to the win points on offer with an unbeaten 55.
Defending Baywide Cup title holders Carrus Mount Maunganui had successful visit to Rotorua, where they cruised to a 92-run win against Bayleys Central Indians. Batting first Mount Maunganui reached 222/7, with 98 from Ben Musgrave. Peter Drysdale (44) and Nick Smith (39) also made solid contributions.
Three wickets to Tony Goodin and Peter Drysdale wrecked the home side's innings to be all out for 130, to propel Mount Maunganui into second spot on the Baywide standings.
BOPCA Baywide Cup Round Four
Eves Realty Greerton 167 (Shane Wineti 77no, Sean Wakelin 29; Scott Steward 3/24, Jono Boult 2/21, Sean Davey 2/31) Element IMF lost to Cadets 168/5 (S Steward 55no, Joe Carter 44; Brett Hampton 2/16)
Carrus Mount Maunganui 222/7 (Ben Musgrave 98, Peter Drysdale 44, Nick Smith 39; Ben Watkinson 2/29) defeated Bayleys Central Indians 130 (AJ Kumar 36, Ben Sandford 29; Tony Goodin 3/14, P Drysdale 3/30)
Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys' College 199/9 (Dominic Crombie 79; Marcel Collett 40, Tasman Carsons 24; John Dolan 3/24, Moko Rivers 3/34, Roger Urbahn 2/35) lost to GM Painters Lake Taupo CC 201/5(Habib Malik 88no, R Urbahn 41; Craig Baldry 2/45)
New World Te Puke the bye.
Points: Cadets 16, Mount Maunganui 13, Greerton 13, Tauranga Boys' College 10, Te Puke 10, Lake Taupo CC 9, Central Indians 6.