Greerton and Katikati have won through to the McNaughton Trophy Final, to be played on the new wicket adjacent to the Mount Maunganui Rugby Club rooms at Blake Park this Sunday.

The origins of the Baywide Reserve Grade prize, come from the donation by the McNaughton Family in Te Puke, of a trophy for competition between second tier teams from the Tauranga and Te Puke sub-associations.

A number of years ago the competition was expanded to include all Reserve Grade sides in Bay of Plenty cricket.

Greerton and Katikati, made the McNaughton title decider in contrasting circumstances in the semi-finals.

Greerton eventually cruised to a big win against R&A Sangha after posting 275 all out. Neil Flack and Jamie Powell led the way with half centuries, while Sangha XI bowler Vikas Tiwari took four wickets.

While Tiwari led from the front with the bat and finished with solid 90 to his name, his teammates found the Greerton bowling attack hard to counter and were removed for 157, to hand Greerton an easy win.

The star of the Greerton bowling attack was Joel Kurisi who grabbed six wickets at a cost of 32 runs.

Katikati, who will be contesting their sixth successive McNaughton Trophy Final, were made to work hard for their eventual two wicket semi-final win.

A young Whakatane United side batted first and reached 187, with Daniel Williams the best of the Katikati bowlers with three wickets.

Leading the Katikati runs tally was Josh Wilson with 44, while Josh Wilson, Ryan Brown and Mitch Rao all made useful contributions with the bat.

McNaughton Trophy Final – March 15

Katikati v Greerton

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)