While the score-book will show that Greerton defeated Mount Maunganui in the Versatile Williams Cup game that accompanied the Greerton Club's 50th Jubilee on Saturday, January 27, it won't tell the tale of the nail-biting Greerton win.

Mount Maunganui were asked to bat first after losing the toss at Pemberton Park.

The visitors were in early trouble at 40/4 before the arrival of Mount legend Peter Drysdale at the crease.

Peter set about getting his team back into the game, in working the ball around the field, for 31 runs off 54 balls. Gus Tustin and bowler Chris Atkinson both reached the twenties. 

Mount Maunganui were removed for 148, with two balls to come, in the rain-reduced forty over per side game. Andrew Friskney bowled with genuine enthusiasm to take three wickets for 29 runs.

After Greerton lost the opening pair with thirty odd runs on the board, captain Anish Desai, stepped up to the  plate.

A nail-biting finish, saw the skipper post a patient 63 not out as his side got home to a three wicket victory, with just two balls to spare.

Papamoa enjoyed a big win, when Craigs Investment Partners Geyser City paid a visit to the Alice Johnson Oval. Kade Smit (35) and Keagan Bromilow (32) set up the home sides win - with the hosts bowled out for 181. Goldendeep Singh Brar took four wickets at a cost of five runs.

Twenty-nine runs from Scott McKnight batting at nine, shone like a beacon, as Geyser City were bowled out for 79. Mathew Rees three wickets, removed the Rotorua sides top order, with Allan Arora taking four wickets for 29 runs.

The Duckworth Lewis method of deciding rain affected matches was called upon, in the Generation Homes Lake Taupo win over Craigs Investment Partners Tauranga Boys College, and the Sanford Wall Lawyers Central Indians victory against Flying Mullet Te Puke.

BOPCA Versatile Williams Cup January 27 2024

Bond & Co Mount Maunganui 148 (Peter Drysdale 31, Andrew Friskney 3/29) lost to Eves Realty Greerton 151/7 (Anish Desai 63no, Tim Clarke 39; Craig Baldry 3/15)

Craigs Tauranga Boys College 127 (Nihar Parmar 30) lost to Generation Homes Lake 80/1 (Caleb Bate 32no) by way of DL method of deciding rain effected matches

Papamoa 181 (Kade Smit 35, Keagan Bromilow 32; GS Brar 4-5) defeated Craigs Geyser City 79 (Allan Arora 4/29, Mathew Rees 3-5)

Sanford Wall Lawyers Central Indians (Jeff Simmons 56) defeated Flying Mullet Te Puke 83/5 (Mike De Beer 37; Jake Rowe 3/10) by way of DL