A mid-term withdrawal, has resulted in the WBOPCA First XI competition becoming a first past the post race for the title, with the two of the leading contenders meeting this Saturday.

Joint competition leader Aquinas College, will host Tauranga Boys' College White, who sits just three points from the lead in third place. Both teams warmed up for this weekend's vital encounter with wins last weekend.

Term Four First XI titleholders Aquinas College, were given a good test by Katikati College before prevailing with four wickets in hand.

Katikati batted first and mustered 134 with Max Morton contributing a hand half century. Aquinas bowler Andrew Norman was in good touch taking four wickets.

The Aquinas batsmen were made to dig deep with Norman leading the way with an unbeaten 44 runs.

Tauranga Boys' White defeated Taupo Combined Schools by just 15 runs in a genuine thriller. The Tauranga Boys' side took first use of the wicket and produced 216 all out.

Johnny Coulter was the best of the Tauranga side's batsmen with 45 runs. Taupo posted a strong challenge before they were bowled out for 201.

Eddie Johnson did much of the damage with ball taking five wickets for 25 runs.

Tauranga Boys Blue who shares the top of the standings with Aquinas College, meets the Taupo Combined side on Saturday.

Last weekend the Tauranga Boys' side won a low scoring encounter with Otumoetai College, in a match which was dominated by both teams' bowlers. Tauranga Boys' were removed for just 118, but bowled the opposition out for 96 to claim a narrow win.

In other Division One match-ups, Bethlehem College should move up the standings when they play cellar dwellers Trident High School, while Mount Maunganui Gold could have a good battle with Otumoetai College.

TBC Lords lead the Division Two standings and will be looking to cement their place at the top of the standings against Te Puke High School.

Aquinas White and TBC Wanderers who sit in second and third on the points ladder meet with the winner likely to move into contention to challenge for the first past the post title.

WBOPCA Secondary School draws March 21:

Division One

Bethlehem College v Trident HS, Otumoetai College v Mount Maunganui Gold, Aquinas College v TBC White, Taupo Schools v TBC Blue, Katikati College the bye.

Division Two

TBC Kensington v TBC Sabina, Te Puke HS v TBC Lords, Aquinas White v TBC Wanderers, Aquinas Black the bye.

Division One results March 14

College Div One

Katikati 134 (Max Morton 54no, Andrew Norman 4/16, Louis Robinson 3/24) lost to Aquinas 135/6 (Andrew Norman 44no, Ryan Timoney 31)

Otumoetai 190 (Cameron Ball 35, Nathan Wilson 35) defeated Trident 109 (Sean Purdy 43, Scott Wilson 5/36)

TBC White 216 (Johnny Coulter 45, Ben Pomare 32, Finn Sears 33no, J Dawson 4/43) defeated Taupo Schools 201 (J Dawson 32, R McDonald 73, Eddie Johnson 5/25)

TBC Blue 118 (Beicjh Winter 29, Cam Riley 2/6) defeated Bethlehem College 96 (Daniel Price 29, Craig Baldry 4/16, Jared Tutty 3/18)

Points Table: Aquinas 24, TBC Blue 24, TBC White 21, Taupo Schools 12, Bethlehem 12, Otumoetai 12, Katikati 6, Mount Gold 6, Trident 3.

Division Two

Aquinas Black 158/8 lost to TBC Lords 159/3

TBC Kensington 128 lost to Aquinas White 130/8

TBC Wanderers 129/8 defeated Te Puke 108

TBC Sabina the bye

Points Table: TBC Lords 27, Aquinas White 24, TBC Wanderers 21, Aquinas Black 18, TBC Kensington 12, Te Puke 9, TBC Sabina 3.