Silverware presentation this weekend

The second piece of Bay of Plenty Cricket silverware will be presented at Ferguson Park on Saturday afternoon after the final stages of Lone Star T20 title have been fought out.

The early afternoon games will see the contenders for the Baywide T20 title decided, with four teams in a position to qualify for the final stanza.


If competition leaders Element IMF Cadets and defending champions Tauranga Boys' College, both win their last qualifying encounter they will battle out the T20 Final – however if one or both fall at the last hurdle, Eves Realty Greerton and Mount Maunganui are lurking ready to pounce.

The real decider is likely to be the clash on the grass on Ferguson three, between Cadets and arch-rivals Mount Maunganui.

The two share a rivalry in all forms of the game that goes back a number of decades, with the Williams Cup clash between the pair last weekend testifying to the intensity of the rivalry. Mount Maunganui chased down Cadets total of 200 odd runs with just two wickets to spare.

While both sides will have key players on Bay of Plenty representative duty, the two heroes from last week's encounter will be playing at Ferguson Park.

Ben Christensen smashed his second century of the second half of the season, reaching 116 before being dismissed.

Mount Maunganui's Ben Guild, who top scored with a match winning 75, has been in good form in recent weeks and is arguably one of the most improved batsmen in Baywide cricket this season.

Tauranga Boys' College will earn the right to defend their title if they can get past East Bay United. The key to a Tauranga Boys' victory is player/coach Mark Orchard, who has been on fire with the bat in the Williams Cup.

The Boys' College mentor has smashed 450 runs in just six games with a top score of 121 not out.

However the Eastern Bay side has a couple of match winners in their ranks.

East Bay United master blaster Alex Yates is capable of changing a game in a few overs with the boundaries under siege as he took to the opposition bowlers with a rare enthusiasm.

East Bay United strike bowler Joel Mathews has taken 25 wickets in Baywide cricket this season and is capable of changing a games momentum when handed the ball.

While Williams Cup competition leaders Te Puke are out of contention in the T20 title race they are capable of raining on Greerton's parade.

Greerton's way to the T20 Final is firstly to defeat Te Puke then have Cadets eliminate Mount Maunganui and for Tauranga Boys to also taste defeat.

BOPCA Lone Star (Premier) T20

Round Seven (12 pm) Tauranga Boys College v East Bay United, Ferguson1; Eves Realty Greerton v Te Puke, Ferguson2; BOP Indians v Central, Ferguson4; Cadets v Mount Maunganui, Ferguson3.

Playoffs (3.30pm)

Lone Star T 20 Points Table (Win – Two Points)

Cadets 10, Tauranga Boys College 9, Greerton 8, Mount Maunganui 8, Central 6, Te Puke 5, BOP Indians 2, East Bay United 0.

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