Cricket: Pirates stamp authority (+video)

A dominant batting performance from Eastern Pirates has seen them stamp early authority in the Rotorua/Taupo senior reserve grade with a nine-wicket win.

Pirates, who bowled first, secured their second impressive victory in this season's competition after reaching their target of 148 against Taupo Schools 1st XI, in just 17 overs, at Ray Boord Park on Saturday.

The home side lost only one wicket in the second innings with batsman Jo Wiringi a standout - hitting 84 not out while teammate Jarred Christopherson reached 67 not out.

Pirates captain Johnny Wiringi was impressed with his side's performance and said his team were in full control throughout - with medium-fast right arm bowler Alan Porter impressing with the ball and older brother Jo with the bat.

"We got off to a great start - Alan really is our in-form player at the moment - and put the pressure on straight away," he said.

"The key for us was getting that momentum and not letting Taupo settle.

"Taupo set a reasonable target but at no stage was I worried. We had full control in the game.

"Jo and Jarred really worked well together at the crease and were hitting it all over the park. It was batting you just couldn't compete against."

Pirates' hefty win follows on from last weekend's thumping of Taupo Old Boys and, after reaching the semifinals of the competition last season, Wiringi said his team wanted to go one better and were "the team to watch".

"This year we have the right culture at the club and we have a very experienced side," he said.

"We are the ones to watch at the moment and we are going for all three of the trophies this year - the pre-Christmas, T20 and overall."

But local rivals Central CC Reserves are hot on the heels of Pirates after also maintaining an unbeaten start to the competition - beating fellow Rotorua side BOP Indians CC by six wickets (D/L).

Central were led by a brilliant all round display from Allan McMurdo picking up 5-13 with the ball then steering the team home with a classy 49 not out.

Meanwhile, Chance Cars Geyser City Reserves fell to their second straight defeat, bowled out for just 55 after GM Painters Lake Taupo set them a target of 176 to chase.

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

In Tauranga on Saturday, Geyser City were bowled out for 97 by Aquinas College, mainly thanks to an outstanding six wickets for just 22 runs by Aquinas bowler Finn Dempsey.

The home side then went on to post a four wicket win with Aquinas' Louis Robinson top scoring with 46 runs.

At the top of the table Lake Taupo CC remain unbeaten after defeating Otumoetai Cadets.

Taupo made 234 all out, with Blaine Inch still in at the end of his side's innings with 78.

Will Perry backed up his 30 runs, to take four wickets for 19 runs as Cadets were bowled out for 126.

Rotorua/ Taupo senior reserve grade results:

Taupo Schools 1st XI 144/9 (Dylan 52, J Love-Parata 30, A Porter 3-4, A Daniella 3-20) lost to Eastern Pirates 148/1 (J Christopherson 67*, Jo Wiringi 84*, J Love-Parata 1-51).

BOP Indians CC, Reserves 122/10 (U Moraji 50, A McMurdo 5-13, J Nieuwoudt2-23) lost to Central CC Reserves 113/4 (D/L system) (A McMurdo 49*, P Wyllie 22*, Neeraj 2-26, Harjimda 2-20).

GM Painters LTCC 176 ( A Davey 34, J O'Donoghue 36, S Dunn 5-35, J Collier 2-30) beat Chance Cars Geyser City Reserves 55 (R McKnight 12, C Ellers 2-11, J O'Donoghue 2-5).

Taupo Old Boys (1) 216/5 (C Jackson 95, S MCGreevy 36, S Duffy 32*, A Bishop 2-42, C Dyer 2-24) beat Taupo Old Boys (2) 54 (M Parker 26, J McNeish 3-7, S Duffy 2-13).

WBOPCA Western Bay of Plenty reserve grade:

Geyser City 97 (Finn Dempsey 6-22) lost to Aquinas College 100/6 (Louis Robinson 46).

Katikati 210/9 (Matt Harrison 75, Braden Brewer 43, Pip Thickpenny 3-49, Chris Tupaea 3-32) defeated Whakatane United 157 (Alex Yates 31, Ben Warren 3-32).

Te Puke 109 (Chris Rowe 51, Gurwinder Singh 4-31) lost to Sikh Sports 112/4 (Gurman Singh 36, Gareth Wallace 3-36).

Lake Taupo CC 234 (Blaine Inch 78no, Will Perry 30) defeated Cadets 126 (Will Perry 4-19).

R&A Sangha 222 (Harkaran Gujral 96, Vik Tiwari 40) lost to Mount Maunganui 223/8 (LS Bhatti 3-35).

Greerton 115 (Tasman Carsons 4-22) lost to Tauranga Boys' College 117/4 (Andy Mascall 50*).

Points (provisional): Lake Taupo CC 100, Mount Maunganui 80, Greerton 74, Tauranga Boys College 67, R&A Sangha 66, Katikati 60, Sikh Sports 57, Whakatane United 57, Aquinas College 52, Te Puke 51, Cadets 31, Geyser City 25.