Cricket: Commendable efforts with both bat and ball on opening day

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A century and a hat-trick took centre stage on the opening day of the Western Bay of Plenty Cricket season on Saturday.

Defending Reserve Grade champions R&A Sangha grabbed a solid win over fellow Indian team Sikh Sports Club after posting 262/9. Gagan Gangan smashed 121 runs in his side's big total. Sikh Sports Club, who were playing their first game in the Western Bay competition, were removed for 119 with Vic Tawari and Ranjav Yadav each taking three wickets.

Cadets strike bowler Josh Christensen grabbed a hat-trick and four wickets for just 22 runs as his side dismissed Te Puke for just 130. The Tauranga Domain based side cruised to victory losing just two wickets on the way, with Colin Robb top-scoring with an unbeaten 40.

Tauranga Boys' College 2nd XI made a grand start to the competition when they beat heavyweights Katikati. The Tauranga students posted 154/9 and then bowled Katikati out for 132 to claim a 22 run victory. Mount Maunganui chased down the Greerton total of 125 to claim an eight wicket win.

B Grade newcomers Singh XI made a good start to the B Grade competition by upsetting defending B Grade champions Wanderers. The defending titleholders were rolled for 114, with Chris Uden the best of their batting line-up posting 32 runs. Jasvir Singh anchored the Te Puke-based side's three wicket win with an unbeaten 62.

Perennial B Grade contenders Grasshoppers got their season away to a flying start, defeating Albion at Fergusson Park. Ally Wickham top-scored with a solid 52 in the Albion total of 153, with Wayne Anderson taking four wickets for the Hoppers. Ray Body blasted 71 runs on the way to his team's eight-wicket victory.

Katikati had a big win over Mount Maunganui when they posted 172, then bowled the Mount side out for just 55 to cruise to victory. Cadets also grabbed a solid win after reaching 207 all out and then removing Greerton for 130.

WBOPCA Reserve Grade Results:

Greerton 125 (Jonty Rhodes 4/29) lost Mt Maunganui 126/2 (Joel Thomson 35)

R&A Sangha 262/9 (Gagan Gangan 121) beat Sikh Sports Club 119 (Vic Tiwari 3/24, Ranjav Yadav 3/17)

Te Puke 130 (Josh Christensen 4/22 including hattrick) lost Cadets 131/2 Colin Robb 40no, Zin Ronny 30)

TBC 2nd XI 154/9 Ben Donald 37, Mikaere Leef 44, Mike Earl 4/25) beat Katikati 132 (Colin Chase 48, Brad Howard 4/8, Daniel Elyashiv 3/30)

Points Table (Provisional)

R&A Sangha 20, Cadets 20, Mount Maunganui 20, Sikh Sports Club 6, Katikati 6, Te Puke 3, Greerton 3.

B Grade

Albion 153 (Ally Wickham 52no, Wayne Anderson 4/29) lost Grasshoppers 154/2 (Ray Body 71, Rob Leslie 58no)

Wanderers 114 (Chris Uden 32) lost Singh XI 115/7 (Jasvir Singh 62no)

Cadets 207 (Jamie Farrant 41, Nick Rendall 41, Bobby Barnes 36, Nintin Bansal 3/30) beat Greerton 130 (Bobby Barnes 4/26, Karl Bryant 3/15)

Katikati 172 (Steve Gilroy 64, Braden Brewer 58) beat Mount Maunganui 55 (Blake Gilroy 2/5, Louie Darvill 2/1)

Points Table (Provisional)

Grasshoppers 6, Singh XI - 6, Katikati 6, Cadets 6, Wanderers 0, Albion 0, Mount Maunganui 0, Greerton 0.