Cricket: Central take early lead in contest

Eastern Pirates batsmen John Wiringi (left) and Scott Martin pick up a run against Rotorua Indians in the Rotorua/Taupo reserve grade cricket competition on Saturday. Photo / Stephen Parker.

Central Cricket Club have established themselves as the early leaders in the Rotorua/Taupo reserve grade cricket competition.

Central defeated John Paul College on Saturday in round two of the pre-Christmas competition.

Young cricketer FG Gous was the hero for Central picking up three wickets with the ball and adding a handy 25 runs with the bat. It was the first match of the season for John Paul College who missed round one after their opposition defaulted.

The long winter break may have played a part in the John Paul College loss, who managed 115/8 in their 40 overs.

Central chased down the score with eight wickets to spare.

Meanwhile, Geyser 1 tasted their first loss of the season against Taupo Combined Colleges. The Taupo combined high school side posted 165/9 in their 40 overs giving the bowlers plenty to work with.

In reply, Geyser 1 lost too many wickets and were all out for 149.

Taupo bowler Coolio Hawe-Muldrock did plenty of damage with the ball posting figures of 3/25. Geyser 2 also tasted defeat against Taupo Old Boys at Owen Delany Park in Taupo.

Geyser 2 managed 113 all out, with Old Boys scoring 114/5 to claim their first win.