A new BOPCA Baywide Premier format to be introduced in the 2016/17 cricket season, should produce encounters that go down to the wire throughout the Baywide Cup and Williams Cup competitions.

Rotorua Central and Bay of Plenty Indians have joined forces and are expected to produce an extremely competitive side, that can challenge the Western Bay of Plenty contenders in both Baywide competitions.

The amalgamation of the two Rotorua teams has removed the dreaded bye from the two title races, with a six very competitive teams going head to head in Baywide Cricket battle.

The big change in the new Baywide Cup competitions is that both the Baywide competitions will be played over two rounds.

The Baywide Cup that kicks off on October 8 will comprise two rounds of play, with the side that banks the most points during the six rounds of round robin competition being presented with the season's first Baywide prize.

The Williams Cup, which dates back to the 1930's, is considered the big prize in Baywide competition and will be played over two rounds followed by three playoffs rounds, before the long-time piece of Bay of Plenty Cricket silverware is presented to the 2016/17 victors.

The 2015 Baywide Cup final was a genuine battle of attrition with Eves Realty Greerton sneaking home from Element IMF Cadets by just six runs.

Greerton batted first and were bowled out for 224, with Tom MacRury leading his side with a hard fought 128 not out, while Sean Davey returned his sides best bowling figures of 4/45.

Cadets fell agonisingly close when they were restricted to 218/7 by the Greerton bowlers.

Scott Steward top scored for the Tauranga Domain based team, with Harrison Perry and Tommy Clout grabbing three wickets apiece for the winners.

The Williams Cup title decider played on Easter Friday was dogged by rain throughout the game and the final result achieved late in the day, was testament to both sides desire to lift the trophy aloft in victory on the day.

Carrus Mount Maunganui took first use of a seaming wicket at the Bay Oval and was dismissed for a relatively modest 136, with Christian MacDonald doing the major damage with the ball taking four wickets for 15 runs.

A long rain delay saw play re-commence at 6.30pm, with Te Puke facing a revised target of 86, which meant that Te Puke needed 39 to win off 42 balls.

Mount Maunganui skipper Nick Smith worked hard with his off spinners to take two wickets, with Te Puke needing two runs off the last ball of the match to claim victory.

The Mount fielders could only watch as the Te Puke batsmen ran two to grab victory.

BOPCA Baywide Start Dates

8^th October 2016 BOPCA Baywide Cup – Round One

7^th January 2017 BOPCA Williams Cup – Round One

2015/16 BOPCA Baywide Champions

Baywide Cup – Greerton CC

Williams Cup – Te Puke CC

2015/16 Baywide Cup Honours Board

Runs 284 Stephen Crossan (Te Puke)

Wickets 16 Dan Spencer (Greerton)

Catches 8 Zac Scott (Cadets) Kent Hodder (Greerton)

2015/16 Williams Cup Honours Board

Runs 327 Tai Bridgeman (Te Puke)

Wickets 23 Christian MacDonald (Te Puke)

Catches 8 Scott Tallot (Te Puke) & Johnny Barrow (Central)