Cricket: Lind on song in reserve grade

The Western Bay of Plenty reserve grade championship has taken a two week break to schedule the Western Bay Twenty20 championship, with the first two rounds to be held this Saturday.

Mount Maunganui seconds and Greerton will go into the third round next weekend sitting in strong positions to make the final stanza to be played in mid-afternoon.

In round one, the Mount seconds defeated Katikati, with Greerton bowling the Mount thirds out for 79 to claim the win. In the mid-afternoon round Greerton posted 146 then removed Te Puke for 75, with the Mount seconds getting past R&A; Sangha.

The B Grade title race is hotting up, with Malwa holding down top place in the standings from Greerton and Grasshoppers.

Greerton batsmen Ben Lind was the star of the weekend, smashing an unbeaten 115 as his side beat Wanderers, which had batted first and posted 214/8. Greerton reached 216/8 to claim the match.

Five wickets from Malwa bowler Ladi Mangat led the way for his side's narrow win against Mount Maunganui. After being dismissed for 139, Malwa sneaked to an eight run win over the Mount.

Cadets posted 261 in their 40 overs then bowled Katikati out for 217, while the Grasshoppers cruised home in a high-scoring encounter with Albion.

Western BOP Grade Results

Reserve Grade T 20

Round One

Greerton 155 defeated Mount Maunganui thirds 79; Te Puke 159 defeated Tauranga Boys College 80; Mount Maunganui seconds defeated Katikati; Cadets defeated R&A; Sangha.

Round Two

Greerton 146 defeated Te Puke 75, Tauranga Boys College 133/5 lost to Mount Maunganui thirds 137/7; Mount Maunganui seconds defeated R&A; Sangha; Katikati defeated Cadets

B Grade

Malwa 139 defeated Mount Maunganui 131 (Ladi Mangat 5/11)

Grasshoppers 247/9 (Andy Balfour 66no, Rob Leslie 36) defeated Albion 170 (Darryl Morrison 35, Grant Parson 34no; John Heyworth 3/21

Cadets 261 defeated Katikati 217 (Jed Moriarty 52, Colin Chase 49, Gene Darvill 36)

Wanderers 214/8 lost to Greerton 215/8 (Ben Lind 115no)

Points: Malwa 70, Grasshoppers 50, Greerton 50, Albion 40, Cadets 30, Mount Maunganui 30, Katikati 30, Wanderers 20.