The Eastern Bay of Plenty Cricket Club (EBOPCC) is set for an exciting weekend as both their 1st and 2nd XI teams have advanced into the semifinals of the Rotorua Lakelands Championship T20 finals. The matches will take place at Ray Boord Park in Rotorua, with the first round starting at 11am and the grand final and play-off matches at 3pm.

The 2nd XI, finishing third in the table, will face the second-placed Rotorua Lions. Under the leadership of Captain Simon James, the team boasts a diverse mix of players from various backgrounds. Vice-captain Sampath Dissanayake has been instrumental, leading the bowling attack with 13 wickets, placing him fourth in the T20 wickets standings.

Newcomer Michael Hargreaves has made a significant impact as a left-hand opening batsman. Other notable players include Ben Bester, who has taken six wickets in four matches, Lovepreet Singh with seven wickets and 106 runs in three matches, and Simarjeet Singh, owner-operator of Domino's Whakatane, contributed six wickets this season.

The 1st XI is set to play against the consistently strong Geyser City Ressies. First-time finals captain Hamish Wilde, known for his stylish left-hand batting and skills as a DJ, will bring premier cricket experience to the team.

MVP Liam Jones is expected to play a crucial role across batting, bowling, and fielding. Top batsman Harry "Hulk" Singh leads the competition with 313 runs at an average of 52.17, including a high score of 83 not out. His batting partner, Shane Ballie, has accumulated 172 runs at an average of 28.67. They have scored the bulk of the team's runs.

Bowling all-rounder and hat-trick hero Kunal Mahajan remains unbeaten in the T20 format. With 100-plus caps and three-time Player's Player awardee, Stephen Spratt is known for his readiness for finals and is anticipated to be a key player this weekend.

For those interested in supporting the club through donations or sponsorship, contact ebopcricket@gmail.comand visit Eastern Bay of Plenty Cricket Club Facebook Page.