BOP Indians' player Ankush Jhanji, pictured earlier in the season, and his side have made it through to the Rotorua/Taupo senior reserve grade final. Photo/File
BOP Indians' player Ankush Jhanji, pictured earlier in the season, and his side have made it through to the Rotorua/Taupo senior reserve grade final. Photo/File
Rotorua's BOP Indians have pulled themselves back from the brink to secure a place in next weekend's Rotorua/Taupo senior reserve grade final.
Despite finding themselves six wickets down for just 11 runs off the first six overs after losing the toss, Indians beat Taupo Old Boys 1 by 54 runs at Ray Boord Park on Saturday.
The home side set a respectable target of 142 all out, with Sukh Singh top scoring with a solid 49 and captain Shonit Chandra (20) also contributing.
Taupo Old Boys were then bowled out for 88 - Sean Dufty top scored with 27 while Indians' spin bowler Lokesh Gahlan grabbed four for just 11 runs and Chandra took 2-10.
Chandra, who had a key partnership with Singh, said he was "relieved" with the result and the team dug deep to turn their luck around.
"It was a really hard game," Chandra said. "It wasn't easy for us at first because there was so much moisture on the pitch - the ball was moving around so much. I was very worried early on, it was frustrating to see how quickly the wickets were falling. Thankfully we pulled it around and set a decent target.
"Sukh [Singh] really pulled it out the bag again and our partnership was one of the key performances. I did think we hadn't set a high enough score but I was very confident with the bowling line-up."
Indians put in an excellent bowling and fielding performance including four outfield catches and several run outs.
"Our fielding was amazing," Chandra said. "Lokesh [Gahlan] was on top form and he did very well."
Indians' win sees them line up the final against GM Painters Lake Taupo CC 2nd Xl on Saturday at Smallbone Park.
The Taupo side beat Rotorua's Eastern Pirates by one wicket at Smallbone Park on Saturday.
Lake Taupo posted 138/9 in the first innings - Sage Davey top scoring with 51 while Pail Davey posted 31 and Pirates' bowler Stephen Thompson grabbed 3-21 and Mark Smale took 2-25.
Eastern Pirates' Mark Smale in action against GM Painters Lake Taupo CC 2nd Xl on the weekend. Photo/Stephen Parker
In the second innings Pirates were all out for 122 - captain Johnny Wiringi top scoring with 30 and Jarred Christoffersen hit 20 while Taupo's Jarred Whitstanley bowled an impressive 5-22.
Meanwhile, in the WBOPCA reserve grade Plate final Rotorua's Geyser City first XI lost by five wickets against Katikati and in the Championship final Whakatane United lost by six wickets against Lake Taupo CC.
