Geyser City positive despite difficult start

POSITIVE OUTLOOK: Geyser City first XI cricket players Manny Kumar (left), club captain Jimmy Coutts (centre) and Matt Collier. Photo/ Ben Fraser.

Cricket

Rotorua's Geyser City first XI remain a "positive camp" according to cricket chairman Mike Holmes, despite a difficult start to their Western Bay of Plenty reserve grade campaign.

Poor weather played havoc with the competition at the weekend, with just three games producing results.

And Geyser City were left particularly frustrated after travelling to Tauranga to take on Tauranga Boys' College only to have their game abandoned without stepping on to the field.

"It is unfortunate that we didn't get a game in but we are happy to take the points," said Holmes.

"It is frustrating for us because it's a bit of a stumbling start for us into the season."

Holmes said the Rotorua side must look to improve after the loss in their opening game to current Baywide titleholders R & A Sangha.

"We certainly haven't got off to the start we wanted," he said.

"In our first game we didn't perform with the bat and let easy runs go in the field.

"However, we remain upbeat and confident and every game counts from now on."

Meanwhile Lake Taupo bowler Roger Urbahn was the star of a short and sharp match against Whakatane United at the Taneatua Domain on Saturday.

Backing up from last week's four wickets, Urbahn mesmerised the Eastern Bay of Plenty team as he grabbed seven wickets at a cost of just 16 runs.

However the Whakatane bowlers also got into the act, taking seven wickets before the visitors secured the win points.

With all the other games eventually rained out the Taupo side now sit top of the points tally.

In the B Grade, Albion enjoyed a win over Wanderers when they battled the elements to produce a result. Albion batted first and were dismissed for 83.

Tauranga Boys' College third XI leapt to the top of the points ladder winning a thriller against Grasshoppers. Tauranga Boys' batted first and posted 146/6 with Scott Ellerington, Jacob Logan and Eddie Johnson all reaching the 30s.

Hoppers made a valiant charge for the win points on offer and were removed just seven runs short of their target. Wiremu Leef did the damage with the ball for Tauranga Boys', taking three wickets at cost of 25 runs.

Results

WBOPCA Western Bay of Plenty reserve grade:

Whakatane United 54 (Roger Urbahn 7/16) lost to Lake Taupo CC 55/7

Te Puke 9/3 v Cadets - game abandoned

Aquinas College v Mount Maunganui, Greerton v R&A Sangha, Katikati v Sikh Sports,

Tauranga Boys' College v Geyser City - all abandoned.

Points (provisional): 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 2, Geyser City 16, Sikh Sports 13, Cadets 12.

B Grade

Albion 83 (Neri Hutchings 4/19) defeated Wanderers 72 (Shane Espitalier 3/18, Rod Henderson 3/25)

Tauranga Boys' College 3rd XI 146/6 (Scott Ellerington 39, Jacob Logan 36, Eddie Johnson 3Ono) defeated Grasshoppers 14O (Wiremu Leef 3/25)