BOP Lakeland saved the best for last with a comprehensive win against Northland on the final day of the Northern Districts Primary tournament contested in Hamilton this week.

The Lakeland side bowled first and dismissed the team from the far north for 164. Alistair Blackett, who finished the three-day tournament with 12 wickets, took 4/27 with Jamie Gale returning 2/19.

Alistair Blackett posted a man of the match like performance when he backed up his bowling heroics with 100 not out as his team to cruised to a seven-wicket victory.

Hayze Perham was another to ensure the solid victory when he posted 35 runs.

While victory eluded BOP Coastland, they were involved in a close encounter against Hamilton.

Batting first, the Bay side posted a good target reaching 175/6.

Blair McKenzie was there at the end of the Coastland innings with an unbeaten 30, with Sean Dykes also reaching the 30s.

Josh Earle's 27 took his three day tally of runs to over 150.

Hamilton, which got home with five wickets in hand were made to work hard for victory by the Coastland bowlers. Victory came in the second to last over.

Carlos Price returned the best of the Bay sides bowling figures, taking two wickets for 35.

The two Bay of Plenty Primary teams showed throughout the five rounds of the ND competition that the future of Bay cricket is in safe hands.

Lakeland finished with just a solitary defeat (by Counties Manukau) – with Coastland, which won their first three contests, involved in two run fests in which they finished second on the last two days of the tournament.

ND Primary Tournament – day three

BOP Coastland 175/6 (Blair McKenzie 30no, Sean Dykes 30, Josh Earle 27) lost to Hamilton 176/5 (Carlos Price 2/35)

Northland 164 (Alistair Blackett 4/27, Jamie Gale 2/19) lost to BOP Coastland 165/3 (Alistair Blackett 100no, Hayze Perham 35)