At the start of the current Baywide Cup competition Bay of Plenty Cricket introduced a new initiative whereby team captains would award their individual opponents MVP points throughout the competition.

The purpose of the MVP was to encourage performances of excellence along with players embracing the principles of sportsmanship and fair play on the field.

Mark Webb Cricket Manager of BOP Cricket says the MVP award that we have introduced, is a player voted system that recognises players who have made a significant contribution during a game.

'Each captain consults with his side to allocate MVP points based upon 3, 2 and 1 for the three best performances from the opposition team.”

The inaugural winner of the Baywide Cup MVP is Tauranga Boys College player/coach Mark Orchard.

The former ND first class player, who teaches at Tauranga Boys College, has had an outstanding season which has produced a highest score of 106no and 11 wickets in the rain affected Baywide Cup competition.

Three players finished tied in second equal position. Joe Carter (Otumoetai Cadets) blasted a highest score of 131no, BOP Indians new recruit Bharat Popli smashed 245 runs in just three Baywide encounters, with Tauranga Boys all-rounder Tom MacRury excelling with both bat and ball in the Baywide competition.

Mount Maunganui master blaster Peter Drysdale, who smashed the Baywide Cup most runs (326) and highest score (177no), finished in fifth place in the MVP title race.

The Baywide MVP competition will continue in the long time Williams Cup competition that kicks off on Saturday, January 12.

Baywide Cup 2012 – Most Valuable Player (MVP)

11 points Mark Orchard (Tauranga Boys College)

9 points Joe Carter (Otumoetai Cadets)

9 points Bharat Popli (BOP Indians)

9 points Tom MacRury (Tauranga Boys College)

8 points Peter Drysdale (Mount Maunganui)