Cricket: Indians nab finals berth

Bay of Plenty Indians have booked themselves a place in the final of the Reserve Grade Over 40 series after beating Central in a drama-filled semifinal match.

After losing the toss and being sent into bat, the Indians went about building an innings based around Bipul Das who compiled 121.

However, Central had two strong appeals for caught behind from Das, early in his innings. But the only person who apparently didn't hear the two nicks was the umpire who turned down Central's vocal cries of "how's that?"

After the second denial, the game went down hill with both sides resorting to niggling and poor sportsmanship banter to one another. Indians piled on the runs, eventually reaching 240/6.

Central struggled in the field, especially with the side only having 10 players to call on. Part way through the Indians' turn at bat, Central lost Richard Downs after an attempted catch went rocketing through his hands and smashed into his face, sending the top order batsman reeling and hitting his head on the rock-hard turf.

Downs was knocked out and taken to hospital by ambulance. He returned a couple of hours later and batted for his team. However, it was in vain as Central were rolled for 175/8.

Indians will now meet Taupo Wanderers in the final on Saturday after they beat Geyser City in Taupo.

After losing the toss, the home side were sent into bat putting on 254/9 in their allocated overs. Ray How top-scored for Taupo with 103 and was helped out by Alex Davey 36 and Paul Chisolm 29. Caleb Powley was the best bowler for Geyser with 4/54.

Although Geyser battled hard, they were never really in the match. Chris Nairn was the best of the batters with 22 with Geyser's best bowler Sage Davey grabbing 4/11.

Scorers:

Taupo Wanderers 254/9 (Ray How 103, Alex Davey 36, Paul Chisolm 29. . Bowlers: Sage Davey 4/11, Armund Kushal 2/24) beat Geyser City 131/all out (Chris Nairn 22. Bowlers: Caleb Powley 4/54, Brad Munro 2/41).