Katikati laid down the challenge to the other WBOPCA Reserve Grade contenders, when they defeated Mount Maunganui in the battle of last year's champions, last weekend.

While Katikati lost the Western Bay final to the Mount, they won the last encounter between the two Western Bay heavyweights, annexing the BOPCA Baywide McNaughton trophy. With bragging rights on the line last Saturday, Katikati restricted Mount Maunganui to 161 for the loss of ten wickets then got home with four wickets to spare.

File photo.

This Saturday the team from the Western Bay extremities, will square off against Otumoetai Cadets, at the Uerata Domain. In the last decade Cadets have been one of the heavyweights of the local competition, winning the championship title on several occasions.

One player who can turn a games momentum when handed the ball is former Bay Development bowler Josh Christensen. He showed his firepower with the ball against Te Puke last weekend grabbing four wickets.

Two Katikati players at different ends of the spectrum made their mark in their side's victory against the Mount.

Matt Earl who has played for Thames Valley top scored against the Mount with 59 runs, with Bay age group player Brody Gilroy taking four wickets.

A club mate's local derby will be played out at Gordon Spratt Reserve at Papamoa, where the two Sangha CC teams will meet.

In round one the Sangha (Raavi) side accounted for Greerton with the Sangha (Anna) team being beaten by the Tauranga Boys College second eleven.

Te Puke made the perfect start to the season defeating Cadets on the opening day of new season, however, they will need to be on top of their game against a wounded Mount Maunganui, who will want to put their first up loss behind them.

There is a long time rivalry between the two Western Bay clubs and the match is likely to be a hard fought encounter.

Tauranga Boys' College, who were another to snatch first round honours, will be keen to bank back to back victories.

This week they will have tough challenge when they host Greerton at Nicholson Field. Greerton are perennial top four contenders and never surrender without a real fight.

WBOPCA Reserve Grade Draw October 12

Te Puke v Mount Maunganui, Centennial Park; Katikati v Cadets, Uerata Domain; Sangha (Raavi) v Sangha (Anna) Gordon Spratt Reserve; Tauranga Boys College v Greerton, Nicholson Field.

WBOPCA Reserve Grade Points Table

Katikati 20, Te Puke 20, Sangha (Raavi) 20, Tauranga Boys College 20, Greerton 9, Cadets 7, Mount Maunganui 6, Sangha (Anna) 4.