Cricket: Chasers close the reserve grade gap

Katikati and Cadets narrowed the R&A Sangha lead in the WBOPCA Reserve Grade race on Saturday.

Katikati and Cadets narrowed the R&A Sangha lead in the WBOPCA Reserve Grade race when they both won on Saturday.

Former Western Bay heavyweights Cadets posted a solid victory against Tauranga Boys' College seconds.

Cadets took first use of the batting strip at Nicholson Field and were bowled out for 199. Chris Norton top scored with 58, with Brad Howard taking four wickets for the Tauranga students. Norton also starred with the ball to grab four wickets, as Tauranga Boys' were dismissed for 130.

A short, sharp affair took place in the match between Mount Maunganui and Katikati. The Mount second XI were rolled for just 85, with Katikati losing four wickets on the way to victory.

R&A Sangha continued their unbeaten start to defending their Reserve Grade crown when they defeated Greerton. The champions posted 208 all out with AS Virk in top form with 57 runs. GS Mahal took three wickets as Greerton were dismissed for 163, to give the Sangha XI a solid win.

Te Puke Reserves posted their first victory of the championship when they comprehensively defeated Sikh Sports. Te Puke batted first and, led by a sterling knock of 87 from Lance Staiger, posted 250/8. Rana Virk 3-17, as the Sikh XI challenge was repelled, with Te Puke bowling their opponents out for 186 to claim an easy win.

Grasshoppers and Mount Maunganui grabbed the top spot in the B Grade standing after results were declared on Saturday.

Hoppers batted first against a strong Katikati line-up and were dismissed for 210, with most of the batting line-up getting handy starts. Wayne Anderson was the pick of the Grasshoppers bowlers with three wickets, as his side took out a 49-run win.

Mount Maunganui beat defending B Grade champions Wanderers when they posted 129 then bowled Wanderers out for 91 to claim their third win of the championship rounds. Greerton continued their revival in fortunes when they got past Cadets, with Albion losing to the Singh XI.

-WBOPCA results

Reserve Grade: Cadets 199 (Chris Norton 58, Matthew Drake 37, Brad Howard 3-31) defeated Tauranga Boys' College 2nd XI 130 (Chris Norton 4-19); R&A Sangha 208 (AS Virk 57, GS Gagan 41, JS Baydal 44) defeated Greerton 163 (GS Mahal 3-38); Te Puke 250/8 (Lance Staiger 87, Sean Gibson 45no) defeated Sikh XI 186 (Rana Virk 3-17); Mount Maunganui 85 lost to Katikati 86/4.

Points: (Provisional): R&A Sangha 80, Katikati 69, Cadets 65, Greerton 55, Sikh Sports 54, Mount Maunganui 42, Te Puke 39, TBC 2nd XI 29.

B Grade: Grasshoppers 210 (Ben Goodall 37, Bob Curran 31) defeated Katikati 161 (Steve Gilroy 49, Ben Warren 37, Wayne Anderson 3-15); Greerton 202 (Brad Ford 31) defeated Cadets 140 (Brad Ford 4-25); Mount Maunganui 129 (Richard White 33, Chris Uden 3-25, Ross Sullivan 3-14) defeated Wanderers 91 (Matthew Fenn 4-27, Matt Demler 3-15); Albion 117 (Harpreet Kahlon 3-16, Amritpal Singh 3-18) lost to Singh XI 118/4 (Piara Brar 57no).

Points: (Provisional): Grasshoppers, Mount Maunganui 18, Greerton, Cadets, Wanderers, Singh XI 12, Katikati, Albion 6.