After plundering the majority of the Bay of Plenty Premier cricket trophies last season, Mount Maunganui has picked up from where it left off on the first day of the Western BOP cricket season on Saturday. Batting first against Te Puke, the defending Baker Cup champions posted 231/6. Peter Drysdale, who made his Bay of Plenty representative debut last season, went on attack to blast 81.

Congratulations all round for Mount Maunganui which opened its premier season on Saturday with a win.

This season's captain, Sheldon Kearns, also took to the Te Puke bowling posting 75. The best of the Te Puke bowlers were Andy McKay and Steven Rae, who took two wickets apiece.

The 60 runs posted by Dane Sorrenson stood out like a beacon as the visitors to Blake Park were removed for 125. Alex Gooding was in good form with the ball returning 3/27.

Williams Cup champions, IMF Element Cadets, won a low scoring encounter with Eves Realty Greerton at Pemberton Park. The home side took first use of the artificial surface and were all out for 99. Former Tauranga Boys' star all rounder Brett Hampton posted a gritty 37 to top score for Greerton.

Josh Christensen led the way with the ball for Cadets taking 4/22. Cadets had a bit of a struggle before getting home for the victory, losing six wickets on the way – with ND pace bowler Trent Boult showing his all round skills, with his sides top score of 28 runs.

East Bay United, which were the big improvers of last year's Baywide championship, carried on their good form, with victory against Tauranga Boys' College at Nicholson Field.

The home side batted first and was dismissed for 157 with Cameron Neal top scoring with 34. Paul Inglis, who has returned the Eastern Bay side this season, grabbed 3/26 with Dean Butterworth taking 3/27.

East Bay United's master blaster Alex Yates was straight into the action smashing an unbeaten 74, with Dan Simpson and Tom Alex Yates getting into the 20s.
The five wicket win, showed that the Eastern Bay side look likely to be genuine championship contenders this season.

Western Bay of Plenty Cricket Results October 2

Premier

Mount Maunganui 231/6 (Peter Drysdale 81, Sheldon Kearns 75; Andrew McKay 2/27, Steven Rae 2/48) defeated Te Puke 125 (Dane Sorrenson 60; Alex Gooding 3/27, Dale Swan 2/29)

Tauranga Boys' College 157 (Cameron Neal 34, Elliot Timoti 28, Joe Carter 24; Paul Inglis 3/26, Dean Butterworth 3/27) lost to East Bay United 158/5 (Alex Yates 74no, Dan Simpson 21, Alex Yates 20; Josh Dwight 3/28)

Eves Realty Greerton 99 (Brett Hampton 37; Josh Christensen 4/22, Nick Earl 3/10, Jono Boult 3/15) lost to IMF Element Cadets 100/6 (Trent Boult 28, Ben Christensen 20; James Birchall 2/12, Brett Hampton 2/19, Shane Wineti 2/34)