Cricket: Mount Maunganui keep noses in front
Mount Maunganui Second XI retained their lead in the Western Bay of Plenty Reserve Grade title race, when they easily defeated Greerton at Blake Park on Saturday.
Greerton batted first and mustered a respectable 164 all out. However, the Mount openers Mike Corbett (92no) and Chris Atkinson (49no) blazed away to get their team home without the loss of a wicket.
Te Puke re-inked their second place in the season-long championship when they beat Cadets in a high-scoring encounter. Led by young Dutch batsman Tim de Kok, who is spending the summer at the Ben Williams Cricket Academy at Te Puna, the Te Puke side posted 318/8 in their turn at bat. The Dutchman went on the rampage to smash 144 runs in his side's impressive total.
While Cadets made a sterling attempt to reel in the large target, the Te Puke bowlers won the battle between bat and ball to restrict Cadets to 242/8.
Fourteen-year-old Mount Maunganui thirds youngster Kyle Dovey wove some magic with the ball, taking two wickets with his leg spinners, as his side accounted for R&A; Sangha. After dismissing the opposition for 165, the Mount Third XI got home with five wickets in hand, with Tony Jackson top scoring with an unbeaten 49.
Tauranga Boys' College posted 231/9 then bowled Katikati out for 219 to claim a solid victory. Ben Warren grabbed a five-wicket bag for Katikati.
