TOP OF THE TABLE CLASH LIKELY TO PLAY A BIG PART IN DECIDING THE 2020 BAY OF PLENTY CUP

Posted: Thursday, 10 December 2020

The top of the table, Bay of Plenty Cup match, between defending champions Bond & Co Mount Maunganui and Eves Realty Greerton on Saturday (12 December 2020), is likely to play a big part in deciding the 2020 Bay of Plenty Cup champion.

While the points table indicate a two point advantage to Mount Maunganui over Greerton, the Blake Park based unit will sit out the last round bye next weekend, in the first past the post competition - which turns the weekend encounter at Pemberton Park, into a must win for Mount Maunganui.

Last season, the Bay of Plenty Cup honours lay firmly with Mount Maunganui who won both battles between the two sides. The round robin game was a genuine thriller, coming after the Mount posted 239 for nine wickets, in their allotted overs. Peter Drysdale top scored with 90 runs while current Greerton skipper Lee Watkins grabbed four wickets.

The Greerton reply went down to the wire, before the Mount Maunganui bowlers restricted Greerton to seven runs short of the required target. Shane Wineti top scored with 82 runs with Pete Drysdale backing up his batting heroics with three wickets.

Just three weeks later, the two sides squared off again in the Bay of Plenty Cup Final. The Mount again batted first and set their rivals another solid target in reaching 200/7. Tim Tomlinson and Dominic Crombie both reached the thirties, with James Boyd and Lee Watkins each taking two wickets.

Four wicket bags from Dale Swan and Chris Atkinson created havoc in the Greerton reply, which ended when they were bowled out for 117. Greerton top order batsman Taylor Bettelheim, showed some real defiance to finish with 51 runs in the scorebook.

Flying Mullet Te Puke lurk in third place with a top two finish well within their reach. However standing in their way this weekend, is Element IMF Cadets, who will still be hurting from last weekends loss to Baywide newcomers Papamoa.

Both premier sides com from long established Western Bay of Plenty Cricket clubs, with the Baker Cup (WBOPCA Challenge Trophy) on the line, which gives the match at the Te Puke Domain an extra edge.

Bayleys Central Indians, will want to cement their top four spot against Generation Homes Lake Taupo, in their game at the Rotorua combined teams headquarters at Smallbone Park. The form book suggests that Central Indians should pick up the win points, however the Lake Taupo side has been posting competitive totals with little reward.

Holland Beckett Law Tauranga Boys College, also has plenty to play for when Craigs Investment Partners Geyser visit Nicholson Field. A top four finish is not out sight, however they need a big win with the accompanying bonus points, over the Rotorua visitors on Saturday.

BOPCA Bay of Plenty Cup Draw 12 November 2020

Flying Mullet Te Puke v Element IMF Cadets, Te Puke Domain; Bayleys Central Indians v Generation Homes Lake Taupo, Smallbone Park; Holland Beckett Law Tauranga Boys College v Craigs Investment Partners Geyser, Nicholson Field; Eves Realty Greerton v Bond & Co Mount Maunganui, Pemberton Park; Papamoa the bye.

Points Table: Mount Maunganui 44, Greerton 42, Te Puke 35, Central Indians 29, Papamoa 24, Cadets 23, Tauranga Boys College 19, Lake Taupo 9, Geyser 7.

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