The real surprise in the McNaughton Trophy semifinals to be played at Fergusson Park in Tauranga on Sunday is that Mount Maunganui won't be there to defend their title.

In one of the upsets of the season, the defending champions were eliminated from the 2015 McNaughton title race, when they were comprehensively defeated by Whakatane United in round one.

Greerton remains in the hunt for the McNaughton Trophy. Photo: Supplied.

The Eastern Bay side will travel to Fergusson Park to square of with last season's runner-up in Katikati, while Greerton will play current WBOPCA Reserve Grade front-runners R&A Sangha.

Katikati, who were narrowly beaten by Mount Maunganui in last season's McNaughton Trophy Final, made a great start to endeavouring to win the Baywide Reserve Grade trophy this season, in the quarter finals.

Facing Cadets, the side from the Western Bay extremities batted first and got away to a flyer. Skipper Matt Earl and Matt Warren put on 63 runs before Matt Harrison came to the wicket.

Earl and Harrison produced a 73 run partnership with Earl being rewarded with his sides top score of 63, with Harrison finishing with a half century to his name.

The Cadets bowler then started to tie down the Katikati batting attack with Katikati reaching 225/8 in their allotted overs. Led by a four wicket bag by Mitch Rao, the visitors to the Tauranga Domain removed Cadets for 127 to move forward to the McNaughton semi-finals.

Whakatane United, booked their place in the last four when they restricted Mount Maunganui to 169/9, then cruised to a six wicket win.

R&A Sangha bowled Rotorua side Geyser Sports out for 136 then cantered home for the loss of four wickets, while Greerton defeated Grasshoppers in a Western Bay derby.

McNaughton Trophy semifinals:

Greerton v R&A Sangha, Fergusson3; Katikati v Whakatane United

McNaughton Trophy 2015 – Round One Results, February 8

Katikati 225/8 (Matt Earl 63, Matt Harrison 56; Chris Norton 3/24) defeated Cadets 127 (C Norton 43; Mitch Rao 4/14)

Geyser Sports 136 lost to R&A Sangha 138/4

Mount Maunganui 169/9 lost to Whakatane United 171/4

Greerton defeated Grasshoppers

McNaughton Trophy Champions

2014 (Mount Maunganui) 2013 (Katikati) 2012 (Mount Maunganui) 2011 (Mount Maunganui) 2010 (Katikati) 2009 (Otumoetai Cadets) 2008 (Rotorua Central) 2007 (Mount Maunganui) 2006 (Greerton) 2005 (Otumoetai Cadets) 2004 (Otumoetai Cadets)