Element IMF Cadets, are in a must win situation when Flying Mullet Te Puke pay a visit to the Tauranga Domain today, Saturday, February 24, as Cadets chase their third successive Versatile Williams Cup title.

Te Puke, will bring solid season credentials to the Tauranga Domain, with a top two finish in the 2023 Bay of Plenty Cup and second place in the current Williams Cup standings.

Cadets currently sit on the cusp of the top four, with a win against Te Puke putting them firmly back in title contention, while defeat would mean they would probably need to win all their last three preliminary matches.

Cadets New Zealand Under 19 batsman, Fergus Lellman, showed his readiness for the weekend battle, with 136 runs, for the Bay of Plenty representative team two weeks ago. Bowler, Isaac White, is a key player with 21 bowling scalps in the Bay of Plenty Cup competition.

Te Puke all-rounder, Ben Vyver, has earned Bay of Plenty representative selection this season, on the back of sterling performances for his club. Two weeks ago he anchored his team's ten wicket win over Geyser City with a quickfire 78 not out.

The season big-improver, is Papamoa, who posted some big scores at the batting crease in recent weeks. They are in an ideal position to make a charge on the top four, when they meet Craigs Tauranga Boys College, at home at the Alice Johnson Oval.

Eves Realty Greerton, face a road trip to Rotorua to square off with Craigs  Geyser City, who are on a rollercoaster ride of solid victories interspersed with heart-breaking losses.

Bond & Co Mount Maunganui, who sit at the top of the Williams Cup points table, will be favoured to dispatch Generation Homes Lake Taupo, at Blake Park. 

BOPCA Versatile Williams Cup February 24 2024

Element IMF Cadets v Flying Mullet Te Puke, Tauranga Domain; Craigs Geyser City v Eves Realty Greerton, Smallbone Park; Papamoa v Craigs Tauranga Boys College, Alice Johnston Oval; Bond & Co Mount Maunganui v Generation Homes Lake Taupo, Blake Park; Central Indians the bye.

Points Table: Mount Maunganui 22, Te Puke 19, Greerton 19, Lake Taupo 17, Cadets 16, Papamoa 14, Geyser City 14, Central Indians 12, Tauranga Boys College 4.

Pride and the win points on offer, will drive the Bay of Plenty representative team, when they play Northland at the neutral venue of Mountford Park in Pukekohe on Sunday (25 February 2024).

Northland are the only team to put two losses on the Bay of Plenty scoresheet in the three 2023/24 ND competitions. The Bay side have posted a win apiece against Hamilton, Counties Manukau, Waikato Valley and a ND XI in the T20 contests, from eight completed contests.

Coach, Jono Boult, was sure to have had a wry smile after Bay of Plenty put Waikato Valley to the sword in their last one-day game.

Fergus Lellman, led the Bay to a massive 343 for the loss of seven wickets, with Lellman blasting 136 runs, including thirteen 4’s and five shots over the boundary ropes. Craig Baldry, wrote his name onto the Bay of Plenty Cricket honours list after taking six wickets for just 21 runs, in an outstanding bowling performance.

Waikato Valley were bowled out in the thirty-seventh over for 159 to hand Bay of Plenty a very big 184 run victory.

ND Brian Dunning Trophy @ Mountford Park, Pukekohe – February 25 2024

Bay of Plenty v Northland