Hamilton have navigated their first Hawke Cup defence of the 2019/20 season, overcoming ND neighbours Bay of Plenty in a  first innings victory.

Scorecard

Bay of Plenty had first turn with the bat after winning the toss and grafted hard from the off, losing their first wicket after 10 overs with 12 runs on the board and, their second for 68 runs in the 40th over.

This brought Bharat Popli and Taylor Bettelheim together, the pair combining for just shy of 100 runs before Popli was bowled by Michael Dodunski for 67.

Bay of Plenty were well-placed at this point, but struggled to form any partnerships after Popli fell, while Bettelheim battled on, marking his way through to a fantastic unbeaten 108 as Bay of Plenty were bowled out for 271; Dodunski taking 4-37.

Hamilton's innings was under pressure from the off when they lost Dodunski with five runs on the board and, this was intensified when they found themselves 69/4, 108/5 and then 144/6.

Under pressure to retain the Cup, Brook Hatwell and Freddy Walker combined for a crucial seventh-wicket partnership, adding 98 together until Walker was dismissed for 64 with Hamilton 29 runs shy of Bay of Plenty's first innings total.

Hatwell batted on, forming valuable partnerships with Brown and Wallbank to see their way to 306/8 at the close of play on the final day; Hatwell's marathon finishing on an unbeaten 78 off 292 balls.