Eastern Pirates captain Johnny Wiringi, pictured lamenting a close call during his sides win over Central CC recently, and his side face off in a "revenge" match on the weekend. Photo/Ben Fraser
Eastern Pirates captain Johnny Wiringi, pictured lamenting a close call during his sides win over Central CC recently, and his side face off in a "revenge" match on the weekend. Photo/Ben Fraser
Rotorua's Eastern Pirates are on a revenge mission in the Rotorua/Taupo senior reserve grade this weekend.
The local side take on GM Painters Lake Taupo CC 2nd Xl in the seventh round of the post Christmas competition at Ray Boord Park tomorrow .
Eastern Pirates, unbeaten this year, head theleadership board on 27 points, and have already booked a place in next weekend's semifinals.
Lake Taupo are currently in fifth place after suffering several recent defeats including a loss against BOP Indians.
But Pirates are not ready to forget or forgive a "devastating" loss to Lake Taupo in the pre-Christmas Rotorua/Taupo senior reserve grade trophy final. The crucial match went right down to the wire and Lake Taupo reached their target with just two balls remaining to win by three wickets off 39.4 overs.
Pirates captain Johnny Wiringi described this weekend's clash as a "grudge match" and said his side had improved their all round game.
"This is a game we really want to win. The club wants revenge," Wiringi said. "We have learnt from our mistakes - losing in a final like that is not something you forget easily. I thought we played very poorly and should never have been in a position to give them even a hint of a chance.
"We now find ourselves in a position where we could actually stop Taupo making the semifinals and it would make an easier pathway for us if we did.
"Taupo have dipped in form after Christmas so they're pretty unpredictable right now. We've pushed our form and are looking very strong in both batting and fielding."
Eastern Pirates' Johnny Wiringi, pictured after being bowled by Lake Taupo CC 2nd Xl in the pre-Christmas Rotorua/Taupo senior reserve grade trophy final. Photo/File
Wiringi highlighted recent stand out performances from brother Joe, which included a bowling haul of 7/23, and batsman Cayde Thompson.
Pirates were knocked out in the semifinals last year but Wiringi said he was confident his team can lift the title due to a much strengthened squad - largely down to local experienced players coming out of retirement such as Kane Spiers.
"I'm really happy with how we've performed with the bat and ball," Wiringi said. "Joe grabbing that kind of final figures was incredible and Cayde has been playing very well.
"We've had a huge injection of players out of retirement. It's really helped having the likes of Kane to call on in key situations and it's brought a lot of experience and knowledge to the club."
Elsewhere second placed BOP Indians take on Central CC, in sixth, at Smallbone Park and fourth placed Taupo Old Boys 1 face off against third placed Chance Cars Geyser City at the Kaimanawa ground in Taupo.
Meanwhile in the Western Bay of Plenty reserve grade, Rotorua's Geyser City first XI take on Tauranga Boys College in the Plate semifinal competition at Blake Park, Tauranga while Greerton meet Katikati at Ferguson Park.
In the Championship Lake Taupo CC first round winners, Lake Taupo CC finished the WBOPCA regular season with an unbeaten record and host defending titleholders Te Puke at Kaimanawa Reserve.
The other semifinal sees Sikh Sports, who have been the big improver in the second half of the season travel, to the Eastern Bay of Plenty to take on Whakatane United.
And the Bowl has turned into a straight final with Mount Maunganui playing Aquinas College at Fergusson Park three, Tauranga.
Eastern Pirates v GM Painters Lake Taupo CC 2nd Xl, Ray Boord 1, Rotorua.
Central vs BOP Indians, Smallbone Park, Rotorua.
Taupo Old Boys 1 v Chance Cars Geyser City, Kaimanawa, Taupo.
Current points standings: Eastern Pirates, 27, BOP Indians, 18, Chance Cars Geyser City, 18, Taupo Old Boys 1, 18, Lake Taupo Cricket Club, 15, Central CC, 6, Taupo Old Boys 2, 6.
