Bay of Plenty took maximum points in the Fergus Hickey Rosebowl game against Counties Manukau, played at the Bay Oval Mount Maunganui at the weekend (8/9 December 2012).

The Bay of Plenty victory continued their progress in the Fergus Hickey standings and more importantly secured the Bay a Hawke Cup direct challenge in March 2013.

After losing the toss the Bay batted first on day one. While they lost an early wicket, Peter Drysdale and Bharat Popli put together an 84 run partnership before Popli was given out LBW for 38.

Drysdale continued on with Black Cap Kane Williamson (35) and reached 78 before being caught and bowled by Ash Vodnala.

However new Black Cap recruit Corey Anderson, upped the ante to blast 109 before he was caught of the bowling of former Bay player Mitch Sweetman. The Anderson turn at bat included 12 fours and 5 sixes.

The Bay tail then wagged as number ten and eleven batsmen Graeme Aldridge (17) and Trent Boult (18no) took their team through to 333 when Aldridge was dismissed.

Black Cap bowlers Trent Boult and Graeme Aldridge took a wicket apiece late in the day as Counties Manukau reached 40/2 at stumps on day one. The early battle on day two belonged to the Bay bowlers - and at 189/8 Counties surrendered first inning points and declared their first innings closed in order to try for a outright win.

The Bay of Plenty second turn at bat produced 117 runs (for the loss of 3 wickets) in just nine overs, before they laid down the challenge to the visitors, who needed 259 off 55 overs to win the match.

An opening partnership of 94 from Ash Vodnala (47) and J Bassett-Graham (43) got the visitors away to a good start, before Kane Williamson weaved some magic with his right arm spin bowling. Williamson took five wickets at a cost of 36 runs, with Aldridge and Jono Boult grabbing two wickets apiece, as Counties was bowled out for 178.

Fergus Hickey Rosebowl Result 8/9 December 2012

Bay of Plenty 330 (Cory Anderson 109; Peter Drysdale 78; Bharat Popli 38, Kane Williamson 35; B Arnel 3/41; A Vodnala 2/42, I Sodhi 2/72) & 117/3 declared (Brett Hampton 26, Jono Boult 26)

Counties Manukau 189/8 declared (N Kelly 35, D Jones 35; Graeme Aldridge 3/24, Tony Goodin 2/22, Trent Boult 2/27) & 178 (A Vodnala 47, J Bassett-Graham 43; K Williamson 5/36, G Aldridge 2/22, J Boult 2/56)

Result: Bay of Plenty won by outright victory.

For further information

Mark Webb Cricket Manager BOP Cricket 07 575 9120 021 734 128