The door is open for Sanford Wall Lawyers Central Indians and Papamoa, who lurk in fifth and sixth position in the Versatile Williams Cup standings to grab a berth in next weekend's semi-finals.

Central Indians have made a late charge to make the playoffs and will play Craigs Tauranga Boys College at Nicholson Field on Saturday, March 16.

One Central Indians player who will handle the pressure and intensity of the sudden-death match, is veteran Andrew Gibbs.

The Rotorua bowler, who is also a dab hand with the bat, has taken 27 bowling scalps in the Baywide cricket season.

Gibbs has played a pivotal role in the Central Indians Williams Cup form and is certain to trouble the Tauranga Boys' batting attack. Nine wickets in the chase for the oldest trophy in Bay of Plenty Cricket, testify to his ability as a match winner.

Tauranga Boys' College's greatest contribution to Bay of Plenty Cricket, is the pathway that has produced Kane Williamson and a myriad of professional cricket players.

The current first 11 are learning valuable lessons in Baywide cricket that will serve them well in their cricket futures.

Papamoa face a big mountain to make the Williams Cup playoffs, when they host Eves Realty Greerton at Alice Johnson Oval.

The Pemberton Park based side sits at the top of the current standings and will receive a home semi-final if they beat Papamoa.

Papamoa will look to Sam Wilson to bowl them to victory. Arguably, the big improver in the bowling ranks in the season half of the season, Wilson has taken 18 Williams Cup wickets in a season total of 26.

An added bonus for the two top qualifiers, that emerges from the Williams Cup preliminary competition, is two lives in next weekend's playoffs.

The Bond & Co Mount Maunganui encounter with Flying Mullet Te Puke, has the potential to see the loser miss a Williams Cup playoffs spot.

If Central Indians or Papamoa, post the win points on offer, the loser of the Mount verses Te Puke game could miss a playoffs berth.

Element IMF Cadets will have a shot at finishing in the top two if they beat Craigs Geyser City at Smallbone Park. Cadets, 13 Williams Cup crowns, will provide the current crop of first team players with a truckload of motivation.

BOPCA Versatile Tauranga Williams Cup Draw 16 March 2024

Craigs Tauranga Boys' College v Sandford Wall Lawyers Central Indians, Nicholson Field; Craigs Geyser City v Element IMF Cadets, Smallbone Park; Bond & Co Mount Maunganui v Flying Mullet Te Puke, Blake Park; Papamoa v Eves Realty Greerton, Alice Johnson Oval.

Points Table: Greerton 32, Te Puke 29, Cadets 29, Mount Maunganui 26, Central Indians 24, Papamoa 24, Lake Taupo 22, Geyser 21, Tauranga Boys' College 12.