The Bay of Plenty representative cricket team celebrated Bay of Plenty Cricket's 80^th birthday in the best possible style – defeating Hamilton to win the Fergus Hickey Rosebowl.

On Saturday, the Bay won the toss in the match at the BOP Cricket Oval at Mount Maunganui, which would decide the symbol of Northern Districts minor association superiority for the current season.

A rain delayed start saw Bay skipper Jono Boult electing to bat on a wicket that suggested plenty of runs.

Opening batsman Peter Drysdale got his side away to a good start and combined with Bharat Popli (39) to put on a 98 second wicket partnership.

The Bay then lost several wickets, before Drysdale and Brett Hampton came together in a partnership that produced 86 runs. Bay of Plenty finished day one on 250/7.

Early on day two Hampton ramped up the action again before dismissal for 81, with Bay of Plenty being removed for 304 in the 103^rd over.

Anton Devich took five wickets for the visitors.

However, the century compiled by Peter Drysdale (104), put the Bay in the box seat against the Hawke Cup holders, with the Western Bay batsmen finishing his Fergus Hickey season with 398 runs to his name.

Hamilton simply couldn't contain the Bay of Plenty bowling attack and were dismissed for 150.

While three batsmen got into the twenties, none pushed on and allowed the Bay bowlers to dominate. Dale Swan bowled outstanding line and length to finish with 4/19, while Jono Boult's three wickets taking his season tally to 33 wickets.

The Bay made Hamilton follow on, and they were 72/1 when the two captains decided on an early finish.

The Bay first innings advantage was enough to allow them to win the Fergus Hickey Rosebowl for the third time in four years.

The Bays Fergus Hickey victory over the weekend, saw Bay of Plenty Cricket finish the season with four ND trophies, which will spend the winter in the Bay.

The Basil McBurney (ND Development) trophy, ND Club Championship won by Cadets and the Secondary Schoolgirls title will be joined by the Fergus Hickey prize.

Fergus Hickey Result

Bay of Plenty 304 (Peter Drysdale 102, Brett Hampton 81, Bharat Popli 39; Anton Devich 5/54) took first innings points from Hamilton 150 (P Bocock 26; D Swan 4/19, J Boult 3/43) & 72/1.