Sideline Sid - Sports blogger Sideline Sid is a local sport fanatic. Not only is he a classic rugby bloke but he has views, opinions and knowledge on all sports played in the Bay of Plenty.

Sideline Sid was late starting work on Monday morning – with the more pressing engagement of watching the White Ferns valiant attempt to lift the ICC Twenty20 Women's World Cup.

The New Zealand women's cricket team outshone the Black Caps when they reached the final of the Women's World Cup in the West Indies. Facing the old enemy from across the ditch – the White Ferns immediately went on the offensive, bowling first, and had the Aussies in real trouble at five down for 50 odd runs.

A concerted attack with the ball paid dividends for the Kiwi girls, who looked to have the upper hand when they took eight Australian wickets. You would see few better catches, than the last ball one-handed effort by New Zealand fielder Aimee Watkins, to restrict the Aussies to 106-8.

However, tenacity and self belief are key ingredients in any Australian sporting side, and they set about defending their modest total with absolute commitment. The opposition bowlers pinned our batswomen down, and the White Ferns fell behind the required run rate.

The game went down to the wire, but the Australian bowling and superb fielding in the last over allowed just ones and twos instead of the required boundaries – with the New Zealand side falling short of victory by a heartbreaking four runs.

On other cricket matters, I concur with former Black Cap Llorne Howell, on his comments about local superstar in waiting Kane Williamson. I have been privileged to watch Kane develop from a promising youngster into potentially one of the best that this country has produced.

In a decade the name Kane Williamson will be as well known as Martin Crowe, Chris Cairns and Daniel Vettori. The real strengths of Kane are a rock solid technique, and an unbelievable capacity to train and practice.

While cricket takes a backseat in the Western Bay during the next few months, the winter sporting codes are hitting their strides. A long Indian summer came to a rapid conclusion last weekend with the first dose of real wet weather.

Proof that grassroots rugby is alive and well in the Western Bay was provided at a local venue on Saturday. At Maharaia Winiata Park, Judea, which is celebrating its centenary, had a good old-fashioned club day with Mount Maunganui.

The scene was set for the field day between the teams from either side of the harbour bridge, with the under 11 JMC sides from Judea and the Mount meeting in the afternoon opener. The junior rugby encounter was taken out by the visitors, in an entertaining display of the best aspects of JMC rugby.

The two presidents' grade sides provided the entrée to the main event, before a battle royal took place. Judea, who had led the Western Bay Senior competition from season start, faced the challenge of the Mount Maunganui Senior Second XV.

While the ascendancy changed several times in the match, it was Mount Maunganui which left the field with a 13-9 victory. However, the real winner on the day was the camaraderie of both the players and the large band of supporters from both sides.

Seeya at the Game.