Geyser City aim to kick-start season

Geyser City's first XI co-captain Matt Collier (pictured being bowled out in a previous T20 reserve grade final) and his side aim to put on an improved performance on the weekend. Photo/File.

Geyser City first XI must put in a better batting performance to kick-start their Western Bay of Plenty reserve campaign, insists the club's cricket chairman Mike Holmes.

The Rotorua side face tough opposition in Greerton tomorrow, at the changed venue of Ray Boord Park after Geyser's usual home venue of Smallbone Park has been ruled unfit for play.

Holmes said the team must put up a better total than the 99 posted in their opening clash against R&A Sangha XI if they were to stand any chance of overcoming second-placed Greerton.

"Bowling isn't a problem for us," he said. "We need to put in a better batting performance and hope things get back on track for us.

"This will most likely be our hardest challenge so far - Greerton are always very competitive."

Geyser are 10th in the competition after two games with a loss and a share of the points in their abandoned last fixture.

And the team must rely on reserve players to step in, with several key experienced players unavailable for selection.

"It will be a good chance for players to step up and make their mark," said Holmes.

""It will be an all-guns-blazing type of match I imagine, and we have to be on our toes to beat a team that is very good in every area."

Meanwhile in other matches in the competition, leaders Lake Taupo CC will be at home for the first time in the new cricket year against Katikati.

Katikati have become the benchmark team in the last decade, having won the Western Bay of Plenty and McNaughton (Baywide) Trophy on several occasions. The Western Bay of Plenty team are sure to test the competition leader's unbeaten start to the season.

R&A Sangha, who are yet to taste defeat after winning their first game and forced to share points by the weather last Saturday, will square off with Aquinas College. The Aquinas students are in their second year in the WBOPCA Reserve competition, after a promising start last season.

And Multiple Reserve Grade titleholders Mount Maunganui meet Tauranga Boys' College with the game likely to go down to the wire. Te Puke host Whakatane United, with Sikh Sports and Cadets who sit in at the bottom of the current standings.

In the BOPCA Baywide premier competition Bayleys Central Indians have a bye this weekend.

Fixtures:

WBOPCA Western Bay of Plenty reserve grade:
Saturday, October 22, 12pm start.

Geyser City v Greerton, Ray Boord Park , Rotorua

Mount Maunganui v Tauranga Boys' College, Blake Park 2, Tauranga

R&A Sangha v Aquinas College, Fergusson Park 1, Tauranga

Lake Taupo CC v Katikati, Kaimanawa Reserve, Taupo

Te Puke v Whakatane United, Te Puke Domain, Te Puke

Cadets v Sikh Sports, Fergusson Park 2, Tauranga

Points Table:

Lake Taupo CC 40, Greerton 30, R&A Sangha CC 30, Whakatane United 23, Aquinas College 20, Tauranga Boys' College 20, Katikati 20, Mount Maunganui 20, Te Puke 20, Geyser City 16, Sikh Sports 13, Cadets 12.