Do or die in reserve grade

The big prize is on offer in both the WBOPCA Reserve and B Grade over the next two weekends, with the respective 2015 Championships being fought out.

Tomorrow semifinal action takes centre stage in both divisions of Western Bay of Plenty Cricket, with the victors contesting the winner take all finals next week.

Defending Reserve Grade titleholders R&A Sangha, who have been in emphatic form in the title race after moderate performances in the first half of the season, meet fourth placed qualifier Greerton at Fergusson Park.

The Sangha XI posted an unbeaten record in the qualifying rounds, although they did have to use their get out of jail card on a couple of occasions.

While Greerton finished in fourth place in the standings, they eliminated R&A Sangha from the McNaughton Trophy, in the semifinals.

There is likely to be a battle royal at the Tauranga Domain, where Cadets who finished third on the final standings, will host Katikati on a grass wicket.

Katikati are entitled to go into the game as favourites after winning the WBOPCA First Round title and annexing the Baywide McNaughton Trophy last weekend.

However, Cadets will have a strong line-up headed by long-time club member Grant Manner.

The former Bay of Plenty representative player, showed that he has lost none of his touch with the bat, when he blasted a century to cement his teams place in the playoffs last Saturday.

Mount Maunganui supporters will have two of their teams to get behind at Blake Park on Saturday. The Mount premier side meets long-time rivals Te Puke in Williams Cup semi-final action, while the Mount Maunganui B Grade team square off in the Western Bay playoffs.

The Mount team qualified in the top spot and play former multiple titleholders Grasshoppers on Blake Park two.

The form B Grade batsman during the last few weeks, has been Hoppers Gary Rudolph. Last weekend Rudolph blasted an unbeaten 122 while several weeks previously he smashed a neat 100 runs.

Season newcomers in the Singh XI, are in contention to win the B Grade title in their debut season.

The Te Puke region side finished second in the round robin competition, however defending champions Wanderers stand in their way.

The must win encounter will take place at the Te Puke sides home base at Centennial Park in Te Puke.

WBOPCA Reserve Grade semifinals – 12pm

Semi-Finals: R&A Sangha v Greerton, Fergusson2; Cadets v Katikati, Tauranga Domain.

WBOPCA B Grade semifinals – 1pm

Semi-Finals: Mount Maunganui v Grasshoppers, Blake2; Singh XI v Wanderers, Centennial Park.

Grading Game: Greerton v Albion, Pemberton Park.

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