Carrus Mount Maunganui had to win three straight games in eight days to win the Bay of Plenty Cricket big prize of the William's Cup, coming from third place in the qualifying competition.

Mount Maunganui's Bay Oval. Photo: file.

On Saturday, Mount Maunganui comprehensively defeated Element IMF Cadets in the 2015 Williams Cup Grand Final played at Bay of Plenty Cricket headquarters at Mount Maunganui's Bay Oval.

The Mount side took first use of the wicket block at the Bay Oval and made a circumspect start to their innings. However, a third wicket partnership between Ben Guild and Ben Musgrave, which produced 132 runs, put Mount Maunganui in the box seat. Guild was the first to depart after a solid 65, with Musgrave top scoring with a match winning 79 runs.

Cadets upped their work in the field to effect two run outs and grab the last six wickets for 43 runs, with Mount Maunganui being dismissed for 265. Promoted opener Matt Golding posted a handy 33 for the Mount, with Bay of Plenty representative bowler Donavan Deeble taking four wickets for Cadets at the cost of 37 runs.

The Mount Maunganui quick bowlers produced outstanding line and length in the first 10 overs to restrict the Cadets top order to a handful of runs. While the Cadets batsmen upped the ante, the introduction of Mount left arm slow bowler Nick Smith paid immediate dividends. The spin bowler took six wickets which was hugely instrumental in removing Cadets for 137. Mount Maunganui quick Alex Gooding, who always bowls with genuine enthusiasm, was rewarded with three bowling scalps.

Cadets skipper Ben Christensen battled away to top score for his side with a hard fought 28, with Tom Boorman and Donovan Deeble also reaching the 20s. The Mount Maunganui victory was the fourth time in eight seasons that Mount Maunganui has lifted aloft the long-time Baywide prize in triumph.

The William's Cup title decider completed the Bay of Plenty Cricket season, where the three big premier prizes were shared around. Greerton annexed the pre-Christmas Baywide Cup, while Rotorua Central took out the Baywide T20 title, with Mount Maunganui winning the William's Cup which was first competed for in the 1932/33 season.

Bay of Plenty Cricket results, March 28

William's Cup Grand Final

Carrus Mount Maunganui 265 (Ben Musgrave 79, Ben Guild 65, Matt Golding 33; Donovan Deeble 4/37) defeated Element IMF Cadets 137 (Ben Christensen 28, Tom Boorman 22, D Deeble 21; Nick Smith 6/35, Alex Gooding 3/17)