Geyser City look to continue recent fine run of form

Chance Car Geyser City's Pete Walters, pictured in action last weekend, and his club have hit a recent fine run of form in all competitions. Photo/Ben Fraser

Geyser City cricket club are aiming to continue their recent fine run of form which has seen both their sides flourish in their respective competitions.

The First XI sealed a place in the WBOPCA Plate competition semifinal after last weekend's impressive win over Mount Maunganui.

They take on Aquinas College at Ray Boord Park on Saturday - a game which co-captain Matt Collier said would act as a "warm-up" for their crunch top-four clash.

"We're not just going to step off and take it easy - this is another game to make our mark in," he said.

"We're going for three wins in a row. We've hit a great run of form just at the right time and hopefully the confidence will shine through.

"The bowling has really stepped up. Right from the start in recent games there's been pressure with the ball and wickets have tumbled."

The draw for the semifinals will be clarified after this weekend's results and Collier admitted wanting to face championship side Greerton in the final if his side reached the last two.

"Realistically we can win the Plate and overall finish fifth in the Western Bay of Plenty Reserve Grade," he said.

"We'd really love to meet Greerton in the final, there's a huge rivalry between us and it would be a real cracker."

In the event of no play in the reserve grade because of bad weather, all teams will share 10 points apiece - the current top four in the championship - Lake Taupo CC, Whakatane United, Sikh Sports and defending title holders Te Puke - will book berths in the final playoffs.

If Greerton and Tauranga Boys' College miss a championship berth, they will move into the Plate One playoffs against the top two from the Plate qualifying rounds.

Meanwhile in the Rotorua/Taupo senior reserve grade competition Chance Cars Geyser City Reserves are aiming to remain in the top four after a strong post-Christmas run.

The Geyser City Second XI team take on third-placed Bay of Plenty Indians at Ray Boord Park 3 on Saturday.

Elsewhere Central CC take on Taupo Old Boys 2 at Ray Boord 1 while first-placed Eastern Pirates face off against Taupo Old Boys 2 at Smallbone Park, Rotorua.

There will be one more round in the Rotorua/Taupo senior reserve grade after this weekend with semifinals on Saturday, March 25 and the final on Saturday, April 1.

WBOPCA Western Bay of Plenty Reserve Grade:
Saturday, 12pm start.

Championship: Greerton v Lake Taupo CC, Fergusson 1; Sikh Sports v Whakatane United, Fergusson 2; Te Puke v Tauranga Boys College, Te Puke Domain.

Carryover Points: Lake Taupo CC 80, Whakatane United 59, Sikh Sports 55, Te Puke 48, Greerton 38, Tauranga Boys College 33.

Plate: Geyser City First XI v Aquinas College, Ray Boord Park; Katikati v Mount Maunganui, Uretara Domain; R&A Sangha v Cadets.

Carryover Points: Geyser City 80, Katikati 65, Cadets 42, Aquinas College 42, R&A Sangha 32, Mount Maunganui 29.

Rotorua/Taupo senior reserve grade:
Saturday, 1pm start.

Bay of Plenty Indians v Chance Cars Geyser City, Ray Boord 3.

Central CC v Taupo Old Boys 2, Ray Boord 1.

Eastern Pirates v Taupo Old Boys 1, Smallbone Park, Rotorua.

GM Painters Lake Taupo CC Second Xl - bye.

Rotorua/Taupo senior reserve grade current top four:

1. Eastern Pirates; 2. Lake Taupo; 3. Bay of Plenty Indians; 4. Geyser City Reserves.