Cricket: Pirates overcome cross-town rivals

Central player Sam Gordon (pictured) batted well at the weekend as his team just lost to Eastern Pirates at Smallbone Park.

Two undefeated sides, Eastern Pirates and Taupo Old Boys, will meet in the final of the pre-Christmas, 40-over competition this weekend.

The pre-Christmas competition is the first of three competitions contested during the Rotorua/Taupo senior reserve grade season.

The final will be held this Saturday at Smallbone Park at 1pm between Pirates (Rotorua) and Old Boys.

The semifinals at the weekend saw Eastern Pirates defeat cross-town rivals Central in a close encounter at Smallbone Park, while Old Boys advanced after their match with BOP Indian Sports (Rotorua) was rained out in Taupo.

Old Boys were ranked higher going into the semi and automatically move into the final.

Meanwhile, the only semifinal that was played turned into a cracking match, which featured plenty of twists and turns as well as a few injuries. One player was taken to hospital with a broken finger while another took a bouncer to his head, but was able to bat on.

Central reserves batted first and posted 174 all out before Pirates took the crease and reached the total seven wickets down.

Central opener Ben Fraser top scored with 45 while Sam Gordon blasted a quick-fire 43. Daryl Stewart also added a handy 25 runs.

Pirates player Johnny Wiringi was the pick of the bowlers taking 3-40.

Pirates batter Cayde Thomson scored a neat half century to help his team get home, while the dangerous Jarrod Christopherson was removed by Alex Evans for 43. Central shared the wickets between their bowlers.