The Western Bay Reserve grade encounter played between Greerton and Sangha CC at Mitchell Park on Saturday was an innings of two halves in the Greerton turn at bat.

Taking first use of the artificial wicket at the Tauranga suburban park, Greerton appeared head for a huge total at 156 without loss.

Photo: File.

Greerton new recruit Sukhdeep Sidhu, made an auspicious start to his first game for his new side top scoring with 89 runs, while Sam Brown posted a half century.

The Sangha bowlers than warmed to their task and took ten wickets for just 73 runs, to turn the game into a genuine contest, with Greerton being dismissed for 229.

In spite of a valiant attempt by the Sangha batsmen, the opposition bowlers won the battle between bat and ball, to have their opponents pull up short finishing on 169. Sukhdeep Sidhu showed he could bowl as well as he batted taking 3 wickets for just 9 runs, with Mike Brown also grabbing three wickets.

Defending Reserve Grade champions Katikati, made an impressive start to their title defence, when they lowered the colours of 2010 Reserve Grade champions Papamoa. Katikati batted first and reached 216/7 in their turn at bat. Last seasons leading B Grade run scorer Matt Harrison, lead the way with an unbeaten 89 while Gene Darvill posted a handy 39 runs.

The second innings belonged to two Katikati bowlers who grabbed five wickets apiece.

Bradon Brewer took five wickets for just 13 runs, with Simon Turnbull also doing the damage with the ball finishing with 5/20, as Papamoa were cleaned up for 87.

In the two other second echelon encounters, Te Puke defended 132 against Cadets bowling their arch rivals out for 123, while Tauranga Boys second eleven were dismissed for a modest 86, which the Mount Maunganui thirds reached with six wickets in hand.

WBOPCA Reserve Grade Results 20 October 2012

Greerton 229 (Sukhdeep Sidhu 89, Sam Brown 51) defeated Sangha CC 169 (S Sidhu 3/9, Mike Brown 3/42)

Katikati 216/7 (Matt Harrison 81no, Gene Darvill 39) defeated Papamoa 87 (Bradon Brewer 513, Simon Turnbull 5/20)

Tauranga Boys College 86 lost to Mount Maunganui thirds 89/4

Te Puke 132 defeated Cadets 123