Element IMF Cadets took the direct route to the William's Cup Grand Final when they defeated Rotorua Central in the major semifinal at Smallbone Park in Rotorua on Saturday.

Cadets took first use of the wicket and went on the attack to post a solid 247 for the loss of nine wickets in their allotted 50 overs. The Western Bay of Plenty sides skipper Ben Christensen led from the front and blasted 65, with Donovan Deeble also posting 65 runs.

Photo: file.

The visitors' bowlers dominated the Central turn at bat removing the Rotorua side for just 127. Donovan Deeble, who is arguably the most improved Baywide premier player this season, was in rampant form with the ball and grabbed six wickets at a cost of just 20 runs.

Cadets earned the first berth in the title decider next weekend, while Central will back up on Sunday, March 22, against Carrus Mount Maunganui, who won the minor semi-final against City Sports Bar Te Puke.

Mount Maunganui won what turned out to be an absolute thriller against Te Puke at Blake Park to sneak home by a solitary wicket and earn a trip to Rotorua on Sunday to play Central for the right to meet Cadets in the Williams Cup Final next weekend.

Defending William's Cup titleholders Te Puke were dismissed for what looked to be a relatively modest 159, with Jeremy Bates top scoring with a hard fought 48 runs. Alex Gooding and Nick Smith were the best of the Mount bowling attack taking three wickets each.

However, the home side made heavy weather of the reply and at 60 odd runs for the loss of four wickets had plenty of work to do. Mount number seven batsman Dan Hill was resolute at one end and posted an unbeaten half century, as his side ground out a one wicket victory. Ollie Smithson bowled good line and length and was rewarded with four wickets with Jeremy Bates backing up his batting heroics to take three wickets.

Bay of Plenty Cricket results, March 21, 2015:

William's Cup (Baywide Premier) Semi-Finals

City Sports Bar Te Puke 159 (Jeremy Bates 48, Devon Bell 20; Alex Gooding 3/23, Nick Smith 3/32, Tony Goodin 2/13, Dale Swan 2/45) lost to Carrus Mount Maunganui 163/9 (Dan Hill 50no; Ollie Smithson 4/32, J Bates 3/53)

Element IMF Cadets 247/9 (Donovan Deeble 65, Ben Christensen 65) defeated Central 127 (D Deeble 6/20)