The fickle nature of Bay of Plenty weather was shown when the Baywide BOP Cup matches scheduled for Whakatane, Te Puke and Rotorua were abandoned – while the Western Bay grade cricket playoffs in Tauranga were completed without weather issues.

Inclement weather coupled with wet pitches, prevented any play in the last round of the BOP Cup on Saturday, which handed the Baywide title to Otumoetai Cadets without a ball being bowled.

Cadets became just the second club to have their name engraved on the trophy, following back to back victories by Mount Maunganui, in the first two seasons of first past the post Baywide competition.

Cadets captain Jono Boult says 'We are pretty happy to get some Baywide silverware in the trophy cabinet especially early in the season. A added bonus is that we have qualified as the Bay of Plenty team in the ND club championship competition.

'We have a number of young guys in the side who have brought a freshness to the team. Sean Davey, Joe Carter, Morgan Bidois and Matt Hill who have all come to us from Tauranga Boys College, have quickly adapted to the club culture with real enthusiasm.

'We are now looking forward to attempting to add the Williams Cup to the trophy cabinet after Christmas”.

An undefeated BOP Cup record, testifies to Cadets desire to win the new Baywide silverware for the first time. The defining game in the Cadets quest for victory came against defending champions Mount Maunganui in round four. After restricting the Mount to 158/9, the Tauranga Domain bases side cruised to a six-wicket win.

After the Christmas break attention will turn to the Williams Cup, which is the second leg of the Baywide double. There are few games that will create as much interest, as when Williams Cup heavyweight Cadets play defending champions Mount Maunganui, on the February 18 2012 at Blake Park

BOP Cup 17 December 2011 – Play abandoned because of weather.

BOP Cup Points Table (Final)

Cadets 99, Mount Maunganui 80, Greerton 78, Tauranga Boys College 71, Te Puke 65, Central 54, East Bay United 53, Rotorua BHS 30, BOP Indians 28.