Crunch Time for Greerton and Mount Maunganui in Williams Cup Title Race

Posted: Thursday, 7 March 2019

Round Six This Saturday

It is crunch time, for both defending Williams Cup title holders Eves Realty Greerton and Carrus Mount Maunganui, with just two qualifying rounds remaining before the Baywide Championship playoffs.

Both teams need the win points on offer this Saturday (9 March 2019) in the Williams Cup round six encounters, to cement their places in the top four.

Standing in the way of a Mount Maunganui victory, is competition leaders Element IMF Cadets, who sit at the top of the standings with an unbeaten record. Fresh from relieving Greerton of the Baker Cup (WBOPCA Challenge trophy) last weekend, Cadets will want to hold on to the oldest prize in Western Bay cricket.

A key part of Cadets winning run, has been wicket keeper Daniel Maathuis who has been in sterling form behind the stumps. Five catches and two stumpings testify to the Cadets keepers’ dexterity with the gloves.

Two Baywide cricket veterans, could play a big part with the ball, in the proceedings at Blake Park. Cadets spinner Jono Boult has lost none of his touch and sits top equal of the Williams Cup bowling stakes with 11 wickets. Mount’s Nick Smith is another who knows how to tweak the ball with great effect, sitting alongside Boult at the top of the bowling list.

Another long time Mount premier player in Matt Golding is having an extremely solid Baywide season with his willow weapon. Golding has belted 143 runs in Williams Cup action with a top score of 56 not out.

Greerton will also be desperate to grab the win points on offer, at Pemberton Park, when New World Te Puke pays a visit on Saturday. A Te Puke victory, would open the door for the team from the Western Bay extremities, to have a shot at a playoffs berth in the last round of the qualifying competition.

Bayleys Central Indians will want to cement a home semi-final in their match-up with Tauranga Boys College at Smallbone Park. While the formbook suggests a hometown win, the Tauranga youngsters have plenty of talent in their ranks with both bat and ball.

BOPCA Williams Cup (Round Six) – 9 March 2019

Eves Realty Greerton v New World Te Puke, Pemberton Park; Bayleys Central Indians v Bond & Co Tauranga Boys College, Smallbone Park; Carrus Mount Maunganui v Element IMF Cadets, Blake3 ; GM Painters Lake Taupo CC the bye.

Points Table (Provisional) Cadets 34, Central Indians 21, Greerton 15, Mount Maunganui 15, Te Puke 10, Lake Taupo CC 9, Tauranga Boys College 9.

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