United going to the show on Waitangi Weekend

Greg Smith will have to perform at the top of the order for United when they go to the Central Districts qualifier tournament in the National Club Competition for the first time in February.

Waitangi weekend 2017 is shaping as the biggest in years for the Property Brokers United team as they prepare of the Central Districts finals of the NZCT National Club Competition.

United will enter the 50-over, four-team competition on the Saturday, February 4, and if they win Game 1 they will progress to that Sunday's final for the right to go to the NCC playoffs against the other five New Zealand association winners at Auckland's Cornwall Cricket Club in April.

The Whanganui club qualified for the Central Districts tournament for the first time after they upset Taranaki 50-over champions New Plymouth Old Boys by 75 runs at Victoria Park on December 18.

Having the NCC tournament game on the Saturday, with the prospect of a Sunday final, means United's scheduled Coastal Challenge Cup match with Marist that weekend will be moved to Waitangi Day Monday.

Senior team member Gerard Hobbs said that baring injury they should have the same 12 players who shocked NPOB for the trip to Palmerston North.

"We should have scored more runs, beaten them more.

"We're looking forward to it, we'll give it a go. You can have the same as the rep rules, with a non-batter.

"It might change on the Monday where we bring some of the younger guys in [against Marist].

"It might a bit hard [weekend] for old fellas like me."

United will have their young strike bowler Ryan Slight, who was in great form during the local NCC games with 16 wickets, along with in-form batsman Greg Smith and key senior allrounders in Hobbs, captain Tom Lance, Brendon Walker, Simon Badger and Robbie Power, while 12th man Dylan Martin could bowl but will not bat.

Also heading to Palmerston North is the Nelson/Malborough club qualifier, while the Hawkes Bay vs Wairarapa and Horowhenua-Kapiti vs Manawatu qualifying matches will be played in January.

"I'd probably prefer to play a Manawatu side, because they're not as strong as depth wise," said Hobbs.

"It's the strongest United side I've played in for some time. We've got bowlers to suit every condition and we bat right down [the order]."

United also want to do themselves some justice with the second Coastal Challenge Cup competition begins on January 7.

The four Wanganui Premier sides - United, Marist, St Johns Tech and Matt Burke Engineering Marton Saracens - will combine with the four Horowhenua-Kapiti teams in Paraparaumu, Weraroa, Kapiti Old Boys and Levin Old Boys.

Last summer's inaugural Cup was won unexpectedly by St Johns Tech where they shocked top qualifier Weraroa in the semifinals and then hammered Levin OB, who ironically were coming back from the NCC qualifiers, on Waitangi Monday 2016.

That competition was played either side of the Christmas break and United were looking strong until they dropped off the pace after the New Year.

"We had that one game against Weraroa where it all turned to custard," said Hobbs.

"It was one of our worst performances. We went from looking at first and finishing fifth - how did that happen?"