Bayleys Central Indians have undergone a season revival in fortunes to become genuine Williams Cup contenders, after they dispatched Element IMF Cadets in the Rotorua on Saturday.

Cadets, who are the defending Williams Cup title holders, batted first and reached 161/8 in their 50 overs.

Long-time Cadets all-rounder Ben Christensen top-scored with a neat half-century, while Morton Freer made a useful contribution of 22 runs. Chris Tupea, who has transferred from the Eastern Bay of Plenty to Central Indians to play premier cricket, was the best of the Rotorua side's bowlers, taking two wickets for 16 runs.

Ajay Kumar opened his side's chase for victory and put his team in the box seat with a quick-fire 58 runs. The Rotorua opening batsmen total came from just 44 balls and included six 4's and three shots over the boundary on the full. SO Rana continued the Central Indians charge for the win points on offer with 46, while Jake Rowe took them home to victory posting an unbeaten 24 runs.

Long-time Carrus Mount Maunganui bowler Tony Goodin, showcased his batting skills, belting a half-century in his side's win over Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys' College. Taking first use of the wicket at Blake Park, the home team posted 197/9, with George Signal (44) and Dan Smith (39) also making solid contributions to the Mount Maunganui total.

Four wickets from Mount Maunganui skipper Dale Swan played a big part in Tauranga Boys' being removed for 150, to hand the home side a 47 run victory. Craig Baldry, who has recently joined the Mount after leaving Tauranga Boys' College, grabbed three wickets. Matt Golding was the best of the Tauranga Boys' reply, top scoring with 45 runs.

Eves Realty Greerton strolled to victory over GM Painters Lake Taupo CC, after they reached 262/6 and then bowled the Great Lake region side out for 154. Individual honours belonged to Greerton batsmen Pip Thickpenny and Tom Renouf, who both reached the 70s and evergreen Greerton bowler Murray Jarvis with four wickets. Moko Rivers top scored for the visitors to Pemberton Park with a hard-fought 41 runs.

Bay of Plenty Cricket Results

Williams Cup

Eves Realty Greerton 262/6 (P Thickpenny 73, T Renouf 70, L Watkins 32, B Lind 28; J Barrow 2/28) defeated GM Painters Lake Taupo CC 154 (M Rivers 41: M Jarvis 4/37, J Boyd 3/27)

Element IMF Cadets 161/8 (B Christensen 50, M Freer 22; C Tupea 2/16) lost to Bayleys Central Indians 162/4 (A Kumar 58, S Rana 46, J Rowe 24no; B Christensen 2/47)

Carrus Mount Maunganui 197/9 (T Goodin 50, G Signal 44, D Smith 39; R Donaghy 2/15, T Carsons 2/44) defeated Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga Boys' College 150 (M Golding 45, M Collett 24; D Swan 4/20, C Baldry 3/26, N Smith 2/18)

Te Puke the bye.

Points Table

Central Indians 12, Mount Maunganui 12, Greerton 12, Te Puke 0, Cadets 0, Tauranga Boys' College 0, Lake Taupo CC 0.