Rotorua teams eyeing final places in Rotorua Taupo senior reserve grade

BOP Indians' player Jaspreet Singh, pictured at the crease for his side earlier this season. Photo/File

It's semifinals time in the Rotorua Taupo senior reserve grade this weekend.

Two local cricket teams are vying for coveted final places - Eastern Pirates take on GM Painters Lake Taupo CC 2nd Xl at Smallbone Park, while BOP Indians square off against Taupo Old Boys 1at Ray Boord Park 1 tomorrow.

Pirates are aiming for redemption against Lake Taupo, who they lost to by 99 runs last weekend and fell victim to in the pre-Christmas Rotorua Taupo senior reserve grade trophy final.

Eastern Pirates' player Mark Smale, pictured bowling earlier this season. Photo/File

Pirates captain Johnny Wiringi described Lake Taupo as his side's "bogey team" after winning every other of their matches post Christmas.

"I don't know what it is about Lake Taupo," he said. "We just don't perform every time we come up against them. This will stop this weekend. It's a confidence thing - in other games we are hitting freely and doing well, that's what I want to see out there on the crease."

Meanwhile, Indians go in as favourites against Taupo Old Boys, after beating their final four opposition by eight wickets in their last meeting.

"We are all feeling very confident," Indians captain Shonit Chandra said. "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."

Rotorua/Taupo senior reserve grade semifinals:
Saturday March 25, 1pm start.

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

BOP Indians vs Taupo Old Boys 1, Ray Boord Park 1, Rotorua.