Cricket: Thrilling final goes down to wire

The Eastern Pirates celebrate after winning the top prize in the Rotorua/Taupo senior reserve grade on Saturday. Photo / Supplied

The grand prize in the Rotorua/Taupo senior reserve grade came right down to the wire at Smallbone Park on Saturday, as Eastern Pirates and the Bay of Plenty Indians (Rotorua) battled out a thrilling final.

Pirates posted a good score of 216/3 in their 40 overs before the Indians put in a good run chase, falling 14 runs short of victory.

The Indians needed about 20 runs off the last over but could not manage to pull in the runs required, finishing on 203/7.

"They kept in the game really well," Eastern Pirates player Des Beckett said. "We thought we had enough runs but they are a tenacious lot the Indians, and they got pretty close.

"It has been quite a while since we have won a competition ... so it was nice to have a beer as winners rather than having a few beers to drown our sorrows."

The Pirates' top players during the match were Jared Christopherson who scored 81 and Shayde Perham who notched up 50. Captain John Wiringi did plenty of damage with the ball for the Pirates, taking a five-wicket bag for 41 runs. Ankit Banfal top-scored for the Indians with 45.

Beckett said the match on Saturday was the last game on Smallbone Park before they upgrade the block in the middle of the ground.

"It was the last game there before the new soil goes in, they are making the pitch better around the square."

After the game on Saturday, a presentation was held to recognise top players and contributors in the Rotorua/Taupo senior reserve grade this season.

Final:

Eastern Pirates 216/3 (Jared Christopherson 81, Shayde Perham 56no, Joe Wiringi 23; JK Singh 1/37) defeated Bay of Plenty Indians 203/7 (Ankit Banfal 45, Magan Vashist 35, Umesh Moraji 30; John Wiringi 5/41, AJ 2/29).