Cricket: Pirates power into pre-Christmas final

Rotorua's Eastern Pirates fired into next weekend's pre-Christmas trophy final in the Rotorua/Taupo senior reserve grade. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

A quick-fire batting display from Rotorua's Eastern Pirates has fired them into next weekend's pre-Christmas trophy final in the Rotorua/Taupo senior reserve grade.

Despite constant rain clouds threatening to spoil play Pirates, who batted first, beat Taupo Old Boys 1 by 79 runs on Saturday.

The visiting Pirates set a target of 161 all out off 30 overs for the home side to chase with captain Johnny Wiringi top scoring with a rapid 43 and Mark Smale (23no) also impressing. Taupo Old Boys were then bowled out for 72 in the second innings with Pirates' Smale dominating with the ball taking 5/20 and Allan Porter grabbing 3/18.

Pirates player Stephen Thompson, who took the final two wickets, said he was "ecstatic" with the result and the team executed a tactical game-plan to perfection.

"When that last wicket fell everyone was jumping about, it was a great game to be involved in," he said. "We had a strong game-plan - we had to be tactical because of the weather. We needed to bowl Taupo out before the heavens opened because if it was abandoned the win would have been given to them because they finished above us going into the game."

Thompson said Smale was a standout and added Wiringi showed "real commitment" as he was only able to bat for his side, leaving Pirates with just 10 in the field.

"Mark [Smale] put in an incredible performance. He came in at the end to bat and hit a quick 23 to rack up the runs for us and then with the ball he was on fire," he said.

"Also with the batting what can you say about Johnny [Wiringi]. He showed real dedication to his side and really gave us confidence on the crease.

"In the second innings the key for us was taking early wickets and we did just that. I can't fault the team's performance, everyone was outstanding."

Pirates' win sees them line up the final clash against GM Painters Lake Taupo CC 2nd Xl. The Taupo side posted 141 against Rotorua's Central CC reserves at home on Saturday and due to rain the away side didn't have the chance to bat. Taupo advanced to the finals after finishing ahead of Central in pre-semifinals play.

Meanwhile in the Western Bay of Plenty reserve grade, Geyser City first XI lost their first game in three matches against Sikh Sports away on Saturday.

They posted a good-sized target of 156 with Liam Kelly hitting a half century. But Sports' Amrit Singh (43) and JP Singh (33n/o) led their side to a four-wicket win.

And the 2016 Western Bay of Plenty reserve grade first round title was won by Lake Taupo CC without them having to bowl a ball as their game against R&A Sangha was abandoned before it had even begun.

Rotorua/ Taupo senior reserve grade results:

Taupo Old Boys (1) 72 all out (B Horgan 17, Mark Smale 5/20, Allan Porter 3/18) lost to Eastern Pirates 161 all out(Johnny Wiringi 43, M Smale 23*, J McNeish 4/32, C Corbett 4/10).

GM Painters Lake Taupo CC 2nd Xl were 141 all out but due to rain Central CC reserves did not get to bat - Lake Taupo CC 2nd Xl advance to the finals.

WBOPCA Western Bay of Plenty reserve grade results:

Geyser City 156 all out (Liam Kelly 51) lost to Sikh Sports 157/6 (Amrit Singh 43, JP Singh 33n/o).

Mount Maunganui 162/4 (Logan Dench 73) defeated Cadets 128/4 (Karl Bryant 44)
Katikati 199 lost to Aquinas College 200/3 (Fergus Lellman 76)

Tauranga Boys' College 152 (Mark Orchard 43, James Hanson 41) Te Puke 91/1 (Vaughan Wilson 37no, Nathan Wilson 32) - abandoned.

Lake Taupo CC v R&A Sangha, Whakatane United v Greerton - abandoned.

Points table (provisional): Lake Taupo CC 190, Greerton 150, Whakatane United 134, R&A Sangha 13, Mount Maunganui 128, Tauranga Boys' College 125, Sikh Sports 113, Aquinas College 110, Katikati 102, Geyser City 87, Cadets 85, Te Puke 80.