The two McNaughton Trophy semi-finals this Sunday are to be played at the extremities of Bay of Plenty Cricket with Tokelau CC hosting Mount Maunganui at the Kaimanawa Reserve in Taupo and Katikati at home to Rotorua Central at the Uretara Reserve in Katikati.

The Baywide Reserve Grade prize was originally presented by the McNaughton family from Te Puke for competition between Tauranga and Te Puke second tier teams.

A number of years ago the McNaughton format was expanded to a Baywide competition.

Sunday's McNaughton semi-final will be one of the rare occasions where Baywide cricket visits the Great Lake region.

The Tokelau CC team are making their entrance into this seasons McNaughton competition, after their first round opponents defaulted.

The home side face a big challenge from Mount Maunganui which is the defending McNaughton titleholders.

In the opening round they smashed 236, then bowled Otumoetai College out for 134.

One of the real strengths of Mount Maunganui is the number of former premier players, who move down to reserve grade, later in their cricket careers.

Former premier captain Blair Parlane top scored with 84 runs against Otumoetai College, with previous Bay rep bowler Steve Charman always dangerous with the ball in hand.

Katikati laid down the gauntlet to the other McNaughton contenders, comprehensively defeating Cadets in round one.

Mathew Earl (78) and William Hayman (42no) led the way as Katikati chased down Cadets total of 169, losing just two wickets on the way.

The Northern Bay club, which sits on the border with Thames Valley, will host Rotorua Central in the second semi-final.

The Rotorua side were involved in a real nail biter, getting home by just three runs from Greerton in their opening McNaughton game

McNaughton Trophy 2012 Semi-Finals

Tokelau CC v Mount Maunganui, Kaimanawa Reserve; Katikati v Rotorua Central, Uretara Reserve.