With Platinum Pacific Reclad Mount Maunganui having a vice like grip on the BOP Cup cricket competition – the real interest this Saturday is in the first defence of the iTCo Challenge Shield by Dawson Insurance Eastern Pirates.

The Challenge Trophy was introduced in the 2008/9 season in order to promote sustained rivalry throughout the round robin rounds of the two Baywide championships.

Last weekend Eastern Pirates won the Baywide Challenge prize for the first time when they defeated Tauranga Boys' College at Tauranga Boys' headquarters at Nicholson Field.

In a low scoring encounter the Rotorua side defended a modest 140, when they bowled Tauranga Boys' out for 119.

Eastern Pirates skipper James McMillan led the way with the bat to top score with a gritty 55 – while team stalwarts Barry Hogan and Harry Pandya, who took three wickets apiece, were instrumental in taking their side to a 21 run victory.

On Saturday, Eastern Pirates will face a local derby with BOP Indians at Boord Park.

The Bay of Plenty Indian team showed last weekend against Baywide heavyweights Element IMF Cadets that they have some batting strength in their line-up.

Mehul Chhagan (42) and Prashant Dhanjee (39) blunted the quality Cadets bowling attack as their side scored 202 all out against the nine time Williams Cup champions.

A secondary school match-up in Rotorua between the two top Bay of Plenty School teams will also provide plenty of interest.

Rotorua Boys' High who upset Eves Realty Greerton last week will fancy their chances against long time rivals Tauranga Boys' College.

While Greerton looked to be on target for a big score, Rotorua Boys' bowler Dave Cheater stopped the momentum with five wickets, which included a rare hat trick.

Mount Maunganui should wrap up the BOP Cup trophy when they play Greerton at Pemberton Park.

However, Greerton have provided the Mount side with its only loss of the season in a Western BOP championship match in October.

An inter-city battle will take place at Smallbone Park in Rotorua when Cadets pay iTCo Central a visit – while East Bay United will host Ultimate Motor Group Te Puke, at Rex Morepeth Park in Whakatane.

BOP Cup Draw 19 March 2011

iTCo Central v Element IMF Cadets, Smallbone Park; Eves Realty Greerton v Platinum Pacific Reclad Mount Maunganui, Pemberton Park; East Bay United v Ultimate Motor Group Te Puke, Rex Morepeth Park; Rotorua BHS v Tauranga Boys College, RBHS; BOP Indians v Dawson Insurance Eastern Pirates, Boord Park.

Points Table (points average)

Mount Maunganui 20, Cadets 17.8, Eastern Pirates 16.6, Greerton 16.3, Te Puke 12.6, Tauranga Boys' College 11.3, BOP Indians 9.0, Central 11.0, Rotorua BHS 8.6, East Bay United 5.6.