It often takes a team effort or a key figure to stand up when it counts and that’s what happened for the Eastern Bay of Plenty Cricket Club (EBOPCC) Firebirds 1st XI in their triumph over Geyser Cricket Club in the 40-over Lakelands Championship final.

Geyser won the toss at Ray Boord Park in Rotorua last Saturday and chose to bat first in friendly conditions, however, were reduced to 78-4 before mounting an impressive counterattack, putting together a massive 161-run fifth wicket stand that took the game away from the bowlers.

Firebirds’ Kulvir Singh finished the innings on a high, restricting further damage and claiming 4-52 off his eight overs. Geyser set an imposing total of 266, leaving the Eastern Bay with a daunting chase, but they rose to the challenge.

Their openers reached 80 without loss before a quick single turned disastrous, resulting in Shane Baillie’s run-out for 35. Liam Jones was moved up the order to accelerate the chase—a decision that would prove to be a masterstroke.

Jones took control of the innings with an explosive display of power hitting, dismantling the Geyser bowling attack to his 87 off just 49 balls, supported by Harry Singh’s 75 runs and stand-in skipper Hamish Wilde’s 34.  Singh eventually departed, ending a 121-run partnership that largely took the game away from Geyser.

The Eastern Bay completed their stunning chase in just 37.2 overs, securing a six-wicket win and going back-to-back after winning last year's championship.

The final had everything—momentum swings, big performances, and a thrilling finish—making it a match worthy of a championship. It was the perfect way to end the 40-over competition in which they had gone through all 11 games unbeaten.

Like all clubs, the Eastern Bay Cricket Club have had their challenges in making sure there are enough players for two teams each Saturday.
With the competition featuring teams from Taupo, Tokoroa and Rotorua, it does involve some travel but that hasn’t stopped the club teams from being successful.

“We’re so stoked. To be part of the first 40 over win for the Firebirds is special,” said Eastern Bay of Plenty Cricket Club president Colin Rampling. “We definitely deserved it. We only lost one regular season game all year and three in total with a perfect record in the recent competition.”

The Eastern Bay had several highlights throughout the season with Jared McLauglin, Stephen Spratt, Baillie and Sathish Umaiyar all bringing up 100 games for the club since it was created around five years ago.

A highlight was an impressive hundred hit by Tom Yates when the Firebirds and Hurricanes clashed earlier this season, while there’s been several five wicket bags, plenty of outstanding catches and numerous positives across the season.

The Hurricanes also performed superbly in the Twenty20 competition, but unlike the Firebirds were unable to bring the title back to Whakatāne.

It’s the second successive season an EBOP team have had their name engraved on the 40-over trophy after Harry Singh and Kunal Mahajan led the Hurricanes to an impressive victory last season.

With their dominant showings this season, there’s hope the Eastern Bay could dominate this competition for years to come, or, even better, be allowed to compete in the Bay of Plenty Cricket championship division where they would more than hold their own having made the semifinals of the McNaughton Cup for the third year running.

Rampling is proud of the club’s performances on the park this season.
“I'm very proud. Both our teams played some great cricket. The younger guys in the 1st XI showed some great leadership being unbeaten in the 40 over competition. The club has a bright future.”

Harry Singh was named the batter of the competition for the T20 season and Jones the bowler of the competition in the 40 over component of the season.

The club prizegiving will be held at The Comm tomorrow from 7.30pm.