Two totally dominant performances during the long weekend have taken the Bay of Plenty cricket development team to the top of the Northern Districts development competition standings.

On Sunday, January 29 the Bay of Plenty bowled first against Waikato Valley. While the opposition opening batsmen made a reasonably promising start - the Waikato Valley wheels fell off after the openers were dismissed, being bowled out for just 75.

Tauranga Boys College quick Tom Clout was in rampant form taking three wickets for 26 runs, while Sean Davey, who resumed bowling duties in the match after a minor injury, grabbed three cheap wickets.

An important factor in the Bay sides comprehensive victory, was an unprecedented five catches taken in the field by Josh Dwight, an ex-Tauranga Boys College student.

The Bay of Plenty run chase was relatively easily, although they lost three wickets on the way.

Joe Carter, who has been in good form with the bat in Baywide club cricket, top scored with a crisp 43 runs.

Day Two at Jansen Park in Hamilton looked to have provided the Bay side with a real challenge against Northland, who had a number of first team players in their ranks.

However, a second dominant performance from the Bay second eleven resulted in another easy victory.

Bay of Plenty lost the toss and again bowled first on a wicket that looked ready to produce runs. However, Bay bowlers grabbed the ascendancy for the start, and had the first five Northland batsman dismissed with just fifty odd runs on the board.

Tom Clout again led the way taking four wickets, as Northland were removed for 154.

While the Northland bowlers fired everything they had at the two Bay of Plenty opening batsmen of Mitch McCann and Tim Clarke – the pair both carried their bats taking the Bay side to an impressive ten-wicket victory.

Tim, who kept wickets for the Bay side, top scored with an unbeaten 79 while Mitch McCann was rewarded with 59 not out.

Only a home game against Hamilton in February stands between the BOP side annexing the Basil McBurney trophy, for the first time for a number of seasons.

Northern Districts Development Competition Results January 29 – 30, 2012

29 January

Waikato Valley 75 (Sean Davey 3/8, Tom Clout 3/26) lost to BOP 76/3 (Joe Carter 43)

30 January

Northland 154 (Tom Clout 4/22, Brian Jurisich 2/33) lost to BOP 155/0 (Tim Clarke 79no, Mitch McCann 59no)