T20 teams battle for grand final shot

Geyser City reserves' captain Chris Nairn and his side are aiming to make the Rotorua/Taupo senior reserve grade T20 cricket competition final. PHOTO/ STEPHEN PARKER

The Rotorua cricket community is all set for an action packed weekend with the Rotorua/Taupo senior reserve grade T20 cricket competition reaching its climax.

The T20 trophy will be decided tomorrow at the grand final at Smallbone Park, Rotorua.

Bay of Plenty Indians lead Pool A whilst Chance Cars Geyser City reserves and GM Painters Lake Taupo CC 2nd Xl are joint top in Pool B heading into the third and final round of the T20 competition tomorrow. The top two teams, in the eight-team competition, will qualify for the final following the third round.

Geyser City captain Chris Nairn insisted his side could "go all the way" and have showed impressive form in the last two rounds beating Taupo Old Boys 1 and their second XI team.

"We are feeling confident and everyone has the same positive attitude right now," he said.

Nairn added the T20 cricket format suited his side and it would be a good finals day.

"We may have struggled before Christmas but this competition has been like a new start for us. It's more dynamic and exciting. It's a chance to free your arms when you are batting and really attack with the ball.

"It would mean a lot to this club if we could pick up that silverware."

However the odds favour the Indians and Lake Taupo CC to meet in the big final on recent form - with both also unbeaten in the T20 competition.

And Indians are still on a high after winning their second national cricket title at in the New Zealand Indian Sports Association T20 cricket tournament earlier this month.

While Lake Taupo took home the pre-Christmas Rotorua/Taupo senior reserve grade trophy final.

The majority of the final rounds of the Rotorua/Taupo senior reserve grade T20 cricket competition will take place at Ray Boord Park from 12.30pm on Saturday with the final taking place to Smallbone Park starting at 3.45pm.

Rotorua/Taupo senior reserve grade T20 draw, Round 3:
(Saturday, 12.30pm start)

Pool A:

Eastern Pirates v Central CC, Central Reserves, Ray Boord 2, Rotorua.

BOP Indians v Freedom2play Barbarians, Ray Boord 3, Rotorua.

Pool B:

Chance Cars Geyser City v GM Painters Lake Taupo CC 2nd Xl, Ray Boord 1, Rotorua.

Taupo Old Boys 1 v Taupo Old Boys 2, Smallbone Park, Rotorua.