Eastern Pirates and BOP Indians reach semis

BOP Indians' player Ankush Jhanji in action against Central CC at the weekend. Photo/Ben Fraser

Two Rotorua cricket teams have made it into the semifinals of the Rotorua/Taupo senior reserve grade after the weekend's play.

Eastern Pirates finished top despite losing against GM Painters Lake Taupo CC 2nd Xl by 99 runs in the seventh round of the competition at Ray Boord Park on Saturday.

The BOP Indians finished second after beating Central CC by 70 runs at Smallbone Park.

Indians, who batted first, set a target of 225 all out after 38 overs, for Central to chase.
Opener Ajay Kumar was a standout with the bat, hitting an impressive 54 while Sukh Singh, who batted at eight, smashed a quick-fire 53.

In the second innings, despite Ben Sandford hitting a solid 43, Central were bowled out for 155 after 34 overs. Indians' captain Shonit Chandra impressed with the ball, taking 4/28.

Chandra said he was disappointed with his "silly run-out" during his batting display but was impressed with his side's performance.

"I was a little disappointed with my run-out, it was a mistake but luckily it didn't cost us. We made some very strong partnerships on the crease and that was key for us," he said.

"Ajay [Kumar] stayed in there and made an excellent contribution and Sukh [Singh] really topped up our run rate when we needed it. He hit so many boundaries and that made sure we set a big target."

Indians will now face Taupo Old Boys 1 in the semifinals on Saturday in Rotorua, after Taupo beat Chance Cars Geyser City by eight wickets.

Chandra's side go in as favourites after beating their final four opposition by eight wickets in their last meeting.

"We are all feeling very confident," said Chandra. "We definitely know we can beat them and there's no reason why we can't push on now and go for a win in the final. We want that trophy."

Meanwhile Pirates will have to face Lake Taupo again in the other semifinal, and captain Johnny Wiringi said his side would have to train "incredibly hard" this week after Saturday's performance.

Lake Taupo batted first and set a target of 217 runs off 31 overs and in the second innings Pirates were bowled out for 118 after 38 overs.

"I'm really disappointed with how we played," Wiringi said. "It didn't help that we only had nine players but that's no excuse. We didn't take our chances.

"I don't know what it is about Lake Taupo - they are definitely our bogey team. This week we need to put everything back together and give everything in training. We just don't perform every time we come up against Taupo. This has to stop. In other games we are hitting freely and doing well - this is the form we need to return to."

Rotorua/Taupo senior reserve grade results:

Central CC 115/10 (Ben Sandford 43, S Chandra 4/28, L Gahlan 2/17) lost to BOP Indians 225/10 (A Kumar 54, S Singh 53, J Fendall 3/39).

GM Painters Lake Taupo CC 2nd Xl 217/10 beat Eastern Pirates 118/10.

Chance Cars Geyser City 104/10 lost to Taupo Old Boys 1 105/2.

Final points standings:

Eastern Pirates, 27, BOP Indians, 24, Taupo Old Boys 1, 24, GM Painters Lake Taupo CC 2nd Xl, 21, Chance Cars Geyser City, 18, Central CC, 6, Taupo Old Boys 2, 6.

Rotorua/Taupo senior reserve grade semifinals:

Saturday 25 March

Eastern Pirates v GM Painters Lake Taupo CC 2nd Xl, Smallbone Park, Rotorua.

BOP Indians vs Taupo Old Boys 1, ground to be confirmed, Rotorua.