BOP Indians yet to reach full potential (+ video)

BOP Indians have yet to reach their "full potential" despite a dominant five wicket win in the Rotorua/Taupo senior reserve grade, according to co-captain Umesh Morarji.

Indians, who bowled first, secured their second victory in this season's competition after reaching their target of 145 against Taupo Schools 1st XI, in 26 overs, at Ray Boord Park on Saturday.

The home side lost five wickets in the second innings with batsman Yash Patel a standout - hitting 53 - while opener Jaspreet Singh scored a solid 30.

But Morarji said it was an "unsatisfactory" win for his side, playing in their third match of the season, stating they should have bowled a young Taupo Schools side out sooner.

"If I'm honest . . . no I wasn't completely happy. I think there is a lot for us to work on after this display," he said.

"We certainly let them get too many runs. It's a consistency issue and I think there can be a lot of improvement with our bowling."

However, Indians' winning result puts them back in the chase for the title after losing to local rivals Central CC Reserves in their previous match.

Morarji, whose side finished as T20 champions and runners-up for the overall title last year, said his team were aiming for the top prize and would be strengthened over the next couple of weeks thanks to returning players.

"We've been T20 champions for the past two years in a row so we certainly have the quality here," he said.

"We have targeted making the overall finals again and after just missing out last year it's given us even more fire to get our hands on it.

"There are some key faces who'll be back in the side and they will have a real impact."

They face tough opposition next weekend in local rivals Eastern Pirates who recorded their third straight win on Saturday - beating Chance Cars Geyser City by 79 runs.

Pirates are level pegging at the top of the table with Taupo Old Boys first team who sent Central Cricket Club Reserves to their first loss of the season - winning by 65 runs.

Meanwhile, in the WBOPCA Western Bay of Plenty reserve grade, Rotorua's Geyser City's first XI fell to their fifth defeat of the competition.

At Mitchell Park, Taneatua on Saturday, Whakatane United set a target of 141 but the visitors were bowled out for just 77 in the second innings. Whakatane's Chris Tuapaea adding to his six wicket tally from last weekend, with three wickets for 12 runs.

Elsewhere, at the top of the table Lake Taupo CC remain unbeaten after defeating Aquinas College.

Taupo's Habib Malik grabbed three wickets for a solitary run as Aquinas College were removed for 74. The Lake Taupo side then soon reached their target in the second innings with Blaine Inch leading the way posting an undefeated 35 runs.

Results:

Rotorua/ Taupo senior reserve grade:

Taupo Schools 1st XI 145 lost to BOP Indians CC Reserves 146/5.

Chance Cars Geyser City 138 (K Vanner 34, A Kumar 30, A Daniella 5-16, S Thompson 3-26) lost to Eastern Pirates 217/9 (K Thomson 103, Alan Porter 26, M Collier 4-21, Piri 2-28).

Central Cricket Club Reserves 150 (S Nicholls 63, M Dahl 2-3, S Duffy 2-24) lost to Taupo Old Boys 1 215/8 (C Downes 62, S McGreevy 48, J Parkinson 4-31, E khalid 3-51).

Taupo Old Boys 2 v GM Painters Lake Taupo CC 2nd Xl - result to be confirmed.

WBOPCA Western Bay of Plenty reserve grade:

Whakatane United 141 (Nitin Bindal 42, Jono Collier 4-28) defeated Geyser City 77 (Chris Tuapaea 3-12).

Aquinas College 74 (Habib Malik 3-1, Roger Urbahn 3-31) lost to Lake Taupo CC 76-3 (Blaine Inch 35no).

Greerton 237/7 (Chann Lubana 50, Sam Brown 48, Darren Heimann 31, Ravi Singh 4-41) defeated Sikh Sports 161 (Cheema Singh 35, JP Singh 32, Dan Pokai 3-40).

Cadets 308/7 (Jordan Shaw 39, Max Delaney 34, Ruben Clinton 39, Tasman Carsons 3-36) defeated Tauranga Boys College 145 (James Holton 5-33).

Mount Maunganui v Te Puke, Sangha XI v Katikati - not played due to wet weather.

Points: Lake Taupo CC 140, Greerton 114, Mount Maunganui 97, Whakatane United 97, Katikati 90, R&A Sangha 81, Tauranga Boys College 75, Aquinas College 74, Sikh Sports 71, Cadets 61, Te Puke 61, Geyser City 41.