Cricket: Defenders chase another title

FINAL STAGE: The McNaughton Trophy final is played at Bay Oval's main arena.PHOTO/FILE

A full roster of eight teams will contest round one of the 2015 McNaughton Trophy tomorrow.

The McNaughton Trophy gives the region's reserve and B grade teams the opportunity to play Baywide cricket, with six Western Bay sides and a team from the Eastern Bay and Rotorua competing.

Defending McNaughton titleholders Mount Maunganui are chasing their fourth title in five years and play Whakatane United in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Katikati, who were just beaten by Mount Maunganui in last year's final, will play Otumoetai Cadets at the Tauranga Domain. Rotorua's Geyser City Sports are likely to have a genuine tussle with 2014 Western Bay champions R&A Sangha at Smallbone Park in Rotorua.

The Western Bay B grade competition is represented by Grasshoppers who are always a force in the local second-tier competition. They will square off with Greerton who will be seeking to add this year's title to their last McNaughton crown in 2006.

-McNaughton Trophy

Round 1 draw:Geyser City Sports v R&A Sangha, Smallbone Park; Whakatane United v Mount Maunganui, Rex Morepeth Park; Cadets v Katikati, Tauranga Domain; Grasshoppers v Greerton, Ferguson Park.

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.