Bay limp home after big defeat

by Kelly Exelby | 23rd February 2010

Three hours was all it took on Saturday to seal Bay of Plenty's Hawke Cup fate and three hours was all that was needed yesterday for Manawatu to wrap up the match.

Bay of Plenty's challenge for the Hawke Cup against Manawatu reached a predictable conclusion mid-afternoon yesterday in Palmerston North when Bay were rolled for 275 in their second innings to lose by an innings and 284 runs.

More than 550 runs in arrears after Manawatu hit an outstanding 659  at the weekend, Bay produced a better effort in their second turn at bat yesterday.

The top order failed again but  keeper Richard Rice (66 from 104 balls) and  seamer Te Ahu Davis (93 from 59 balls, including 13 fours and two sixes) added a  measure of respectability to the mix at Fitzherbert Park.

In two weeks Bay of Plenty has  a season-defining game at Mt Maunganui against Hamilton, with the Fergus Hickey Rosebowl, which Bay holds, at stake.