Geyser City striving to become leading big hitter(+video)

Geyser City Cricket club are striving to become a leading big hitter with premier aspirations for the future.

The first XI side's campaign starts this weekend, competing alongside 12 other teams for the Western Bay of Plenty reserve grade title this season.

Co-captain Matt Collier, 30, said the team were aiming to make the semifinals after finishing sixth last year, in their debut season in the competition.

"We have set the target of finishing in the top four and it is very achievable," he said.

"Last year was very much a learning curve for everyone because it was our first time up against the teams.

"But we know what we are up against now and we would like to improve."

Jimmy Coutts, 32, the Geyser City Cricket Club captain added: "Having this side in this more difficult division has helped a lot with the standard of cricket at the club.

"It brings the best out of players because of the competitive standard.

"We have a good team with a lot of returning players so hopes are high."

Geyser City cricket players Manny Kumar (left), club captain Jimmy Coutts and Matt Collier have high hopes for the future of the club. PHOTO/ BEN FRASER.

Last season's winners Te Puke will be hard to beat with Geyser City Cricket club chairman Mike Holmes also singling out Otumoetai Cadets, Greerton and Mount Maunganui as other tough teams.

"It will be a thrilling competition because a lot of the sides are very evenly matched," he said.

"It really does come down to how each side performs on the day and there is no reason why we can't be right up there in the battle for the title."

The club will also be aiming for success with its development side in the local senior reserve grade competition which starts on Saturday, October 15.

The team was crowned champions in 2014 - the first time in the club's history, but last season was a struggle with the side finishing fifth. "The main aim is to develop the younger players and grow their love for the game," said captain Chris Nairn.

"We certainly are looking to compete well this season and certainly win more games."

Holmes added: "It was incredibly special when we won in 2014 but we didn't perform in the previous competition."

"We can definitely challenge again though."

Currently there is just one Rotorua side in the Bay of Plenty Cricket Premier men's competition - Central-Indians (Rotorua teams Central and Bay of Indians have recently joined together for the 16/17 season), something Holmes is determined to change in the future.

"Rotorua used to have a very strong representation in the Premier [competition] and we would like to restore that again," he said.

"For the future the club would like to be able to field a multiple number of teams and push up through the rankings."

Manny Kumar, the co-captain of Geyser City's first XI, said the key to the club's future was the youth.

"We need to be bringing them through and developing them.

"It is a big step up to the Premier but the quality is out there in the local community and I hope youngsters come down and give cricket a try."

For more information on the upcoming cricket season visit www.bopcricket.co.nz.