Bay of Plenty Coastland are chasing a three-peat of titles at the ND Senior Secondary Cricket tournament being played in Gisborne next week.

The annual secondary school tournament runs from December 15 to 19.

And both the BOP Lakeland and Coastland sides will feel confident having a number of players who have been playing senior men's cricket competition this season.

Coastland captain Brody Gilroy is in his second season with the Bay of Plenty Development team and in a recent 'friendly” encounter with ND Under 19, he played a big part in dismissing the ND side for 142, taking four wickets at a cost of just 13 runs.

Other Coastland players to step up to senior men's cricket in the Baywide premier ranks, include Gareth Wallace, Harrison Perry, Jonty Grigson and Tom Wakelin (Tauranga Boys College) along with Johann Irani (BOP Indians) and Christian MacDonald (Cadets) who debuted in the Bay Development team against ND Under 19.

Blair McKenzie made his premier debut for the Mount Maunganui premiers last week from the Reserve side, while Matt Fenn and Kyle Dovey play for the Mount Reserves in the Western Bay men's competition.

The Lakeland team also has several players with Baywide premier cricket experience.

Jeff Omar and Rhys Keighly play for Whakatane United joining Central players Declan Keaney and Tom Yarrell, with Rohan Gosai regularly turning out for BOP Indians.

Alastair Blackett also made his Bay of Plenty Development team debut, in the 'friendly” encounter with ND Under 19, grabbing a wicket with the ball then posting a valuable 13 runs with the bat. Bradley Munro turns out for the Central Reserves in the Rotorua Cricket competitions.

Two additional Western Bay players will travel to Gisborne next week. Gurwinder Singh (Tauranga Boys College) and Dylan Wadsworth (Bethlehem College) have been selected for the ND Invitation side, to play in the annual ND Schools tournament

While BOP Coastland won back to back ND titles last season they had to dig deep in the semi-finals to earn a place in the title decider. Coastlands were bowled out by Waikato for what looked to be a relatively modest 153.

At 138/4 the Valley team looked to have the match in the bag, before rain forced the players from the field.

On the return to the field, a remarkable bowling spell from Coastlands Keaton Taylor, played havoc with the Waikato Valley batsmen, with the Tauranga Boys College player taking five wickets for just 6 runs.

Waikato Valley were removed for 148, which gave the Bay team a thrilling five run victory.

Bay of Plenty Coastland Senior Secondary

Brody Gilroy (captain) Gareth Wallace (vice-captain) Blair McKenzie, Johann Irani, Matt Fenn, Kyle Dovey, Harrison Perry, Louis Morris, Bill Burnett, Jonty Grigson, Christian MacDonald, Tom Wakelin.

Bay of Plenty Lakeland Senior Secondary

Alastair Blackett, Mukund Ranchod, Tom Yarrell, Liam Kelly, Declan Keaney, Rhys Keighley, Reece McDonald, James Dawson, Bradley Munro, Rohan Gosai, Jeffrey Omar, Sean Purdy.