The first match of round 8 saw the 4th placed Paama Sharks seeking a run of results to make the finals taking on the title contending Bushpigs at the Vanuatu Cricket Ground. In a match that had everyone on the edge of their seats, the North Efate Bush Pigs and Paama Sharks delivered a thrilling spectacle. Batting first, the Bush Pigs posted a competitive 145 for 6 in their 20 overs. The innings was anchored by Nick Venables, who played a composed yet aggressive knock of 59 not out off 50 balls, including eight boundaries and a six. Venables' innings was crucial, especially after the Bush Pigs were reduced to 4 for 2 early on, with Waane Sirovulu picking up the key wickets of MVP contender, R Tari, and Aaron Strid.
Tim Cutler provided the fireworks in the middle overs, smashing 35 off just 19 balls, with five towering sixes, propelling the Bush Pigs to a defendable total. However, the innings was kept in check by some disciplined bowling from Justin Sarginson, who claimed three crucial wickets for 29 runs. His dismissals of Cutler, Tom Adams, and Stanley Iata prevented the Bush Pigs from running away with the game.
Chasing 146, the Paama Sharks approached their innings with calculated aggression. Captain Jamal Vira led by example, scoring a brisk 37 off 27 balls, including two boundaries and two sixes. Vira's innings set a solid foundation for the chase. Despite losing Jordy Fred and competition leading run scorer CTW Kendrick cheaply, the Sharks maintained their momentum. Obed Yosef added a valuable 17 off 12 balls before falling to Stanley Iata, and Stephane Sandy contributed a composed 22 off 21 balls, keeping the Sharks in the hunt.
The match reached a thrilling climax as the Sharks stumbled towards the end, losing crucial wickets and adding tension to the chase. However, William Laumae (15 off 8) alongside the steady presence of Stewart Sandy (7 not out) and Brennan Meyer (6 not out) guided the Sharks home, reaching 146 for 6 in 19.1 overs courtesy of a fortuitous wide from Strid at the end.
In the 2nd match, Tafea Cricket Club displayed their dominance over the Tusker Panthers. Batting first, Tafea set a formidable total of 148 for 7 in their 20 overs. The innings was built around a solid 44 not out from Julian Tommy, who anchored the innings beautifully, and a quickfire 39 from Remondo Lekai, who provided the impetus in the middle overs. Despite losing early wickets, including their captain Rodrick Lekai for just 1, the middle-order resilience ensured a challenging total. Contributions from Junior Nirua (19 off 23) and Darren Wotu (12 off 9) were crucial in stabilizing the innings.
The Panthers’ bowlers, bolstered by the return of quick, Kenny Tari, had moments of brilliance, with Tony Tamata and Neto Wotu both picking up two wickets each, but they struggled to contain the flow of runs. Extras also played a significant role, with 20 runs coming from wides and no-balls, reflecting some indiscipline in the Panthers' bowling attack.
In reply, the Tusker Panthers were dismantled by a clinical bowling performance from Tafea. As if in an omen for what was to come, when Panthers Captain Joshua Rasu's stumps were ripped out of the ground by a magical delivery from Darren Wotu, the panthers innings almost looked over. Wamejo Wotu and Shay Narai were then the chief architects of the collapse, each claiming three wickets. Wotu's 3 for 16 and Narai's 3 for 11 were instrumental in skittling the Panthers for a paltry 61 in 12.5 overs.
The Panthers struggled to build partnerships, with only Kenny Tari (16 off 12) and Tony Tamata (30 off 21) reaching double figures. The rest of the batting lineup crumbled under pressure, with four batsmen failing to score. The comprehensive 87-run victory for Tafea Sandalwood highlighted their all-round dominance and reinforced their status as the most formidable team in the league.
CURRENT STANDINGS:
Team | Pld | W | L | T | Abd | Pts | NRR |
Tafea CC | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16.0 | +3.842 |
8 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 11.0 | +2.642 | |
7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 6.0 | -0.929 | |
6 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5.0 | -0.568 | |
8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 4.0 | -2.055 | |
7 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2.0 | -3.050 |
MVP STANDINGS:
Rank | Player | Club | Matches | Batting | Bowling | Fielding | Overall |
1 | Tafea CC | 8 | 35.4 | 32.66 | 8.97 | 77.04 | |
2 | North Efate Bush Pigs | 7 | 41.44 | 20.96 | 10.71 | 73.13 | |
3 | Tafea CC | 8 | 25.85 | 30.32 | 3.8 | 59.98 |
Comments