The first match of Round 6 in the Port Vila Club Cricket Championship featured tabling topping Tafea against the Paama Sharks at independence Park. Batting first, Sharks side faltered early, with only a few sparks of resistance against a formidable bowling attack.
Captain, Jamal Vira, leading from the front, scored a steady 21 off 22 balls, featuring two boundaries. However, his dismissal by the impressive Wamejo Wotu marked the beginning of a cascade of wickets. Curran Kendrick matched Vira’s score with a cautious 21 off 27, but the middle order crumbled under pressure. The dismissals of Josiah Lendal and Brennan Meyer for ducks, alongside Obed Yosef's mere single run, highlighted the batting woes.
The bowling attack, marshaled expertly by Rodrick Lekai, was relentless. Lekai’s spell, yielding 3 wickets for just 3 runs, was nothing short of devastating. Williamsing Nalisa’s 3 for 24 complemented Lekai’s efforts, while Shay Narai and Sanny Hapina chipped in with crucial wickets. The disciplined bowling performance saw the opposition bowled out for a meager 84 in 19.5 overs.
Chasing 85, the innings commenced with fireworks from Wamejo Wotu, who smashed 6 runs off 3 balls before falling to Waane Sirovulu who was caught behind by Vira. Junior Nirua followed soon after, but it was Williamsing Nalisa’s explosive 31 off 17 balls, adorned with six boundaries, that anchored the chase, despite being dropped first ball. Outside a middle-order collapse, which saw Rodrick Lekai and Shay Narai dismissed without scoring, the team found stability in Remondo Lekai and Julian Tommy. Remondo’s 17 off 7 balls, coupled with Tommy’s steady presence, ensured the chase remained on course.
Brennan Meyer and Gregory Batick's late strikes injected some tension into the proceedings. Meyer’s 2 for 10 and Batick’s 2 for 5 were valiant efforts, but the target was ultimately too low to defend. The team reached 85 for 8 in 13.1 overs, sealing a thrilling victory.
The second match of the round was an enthralling contest between the Splashe Mele Bulls and the Tusker Panthers. The first innings unfolded with Christopher Nasak leading the charge, crafting a composed 44 off 39 deliveries, laced with five boundaries. Nasak's innings provided a sturdy platform before he fell to a smart catch by Jecky Bangalulu off Wally Mansale's delivery, marking a pivotal moment in the innings.
Suria Rajen and Tony Tamata struggled to find their rhythm, succumbing to Rashid Bangalulu and WR Tastuki respectively, with the latter delivering a spell that would become the cornerstone of the bowling attack. Joshua Rasu, captaining the side, injected some impetus with a swift 13 off 9 balls but fell prey to Tastuki, whose precision and control were impeccable.
Christopher Laffan contributed a vital 27 runs off 30 balls, anchoring the innings during a period of vulnerability. However, the middle and lower order faltered against Tastuki's exceptional spell, which saw him clinch four wickets for a mere 16 runs. His performance dismantled the batting lineup, leaving Neto Wotu, Jamie Kaiaha, and Daniel Nathaniel unable to make significant impacts. The tail-enders, Charlie Jacob and Larkson Tavesa, managed to stay unbeaten but couldn't add to the scoreboard, as the innings concluded at 118 for 8 after 20 overs. Notably, extras accounted for 21 runs, highlighting some discipline issues in the bowling attack.
On the bowling front, WR Tastuki was the standout performer, his four-wicket haul reflecting a masterclass in bowling under pressure. He was ably supported by Kaltongga Numalo and Jecky Bangalulu, who each picked up crucial wickets, ensuring the batting side couldn't capitalize on their early momentum.
The second innings saw an aggressive start, but the chase quickly unraveled under tight bowling and sharp fielding. Jecky Bangalulu’s early dismissal, stumped by Suria Rajen off Tony Tamata, set the tone for what would be a challenging pursuit. Rashid Bangalulu showed some resistance with a spirited 16 off 12 balls before falling to Charlie Jacob. The middle order crumbled under pressure, with Amjed Bangalulu and WR Tastuki falling cheaply to Tony Tamata, who was in lethal form, claiming four wickets for just 13 runs in his spell.
John Tonga provided a glimmer of hope with a fighting 30 off 29 balls, but his efforts were in vain as the wickets tumbled around him. Jamie Kaiaha, contributing with the ball, further dismantled the lineup. The lower order couldn’t mount a comeback, as Kevin Langa, Adrian Masauvakalo, and Gillian Chilia fell in quick succession, with the latter being run out.
Wally Mansale remained not out on 7, but the chase ended abruptly at 85 all out in 15.4 overs, sealing a comprehensive victory for the bowling side. Tony Tamata’s four-wicket haul was complemented by Daniel Nathaniel and Neto Wotu, who both bowled with precision and control, each claiming a wicket.
The third match of the round was between the second place North Efate Bushpigs and the third placed Mighty Saints, the first innings saw a resilient performance from Nalin Nipiko, who top-scored with 41 off 40 balls, hitting two boundaries and one six. His innings provided a solid start before being dismissed by William Adams. The opening pair, however, struggled to find stability, with SM Meltetake falling early to Jack McAlister for just 4 runs off 8 balls. Sebas Richard showed some promise but was bowled by Billy George after a quick 7 off 5 balls.
Captain Mac Millan Markia tried to anchor the innings but could only manage 10 off 12 deliveries before falling to Stanley Iata, who bowled a disciplined spell. Steve Sandy and Junior Alfred Carlot attempted to rebuild, but Sandy’s 7-ball 3 and Langdale Tamalua’s golden duck added pressure. Carlot remained unbeaten with a cautious 14 off 23 balls, supported by Neil Malosu’s 5 not out, guiding the team to a total of 105 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs. Extras played a significant role, contributing 21 runs to the total, underlining some erratic bowling from the opposition.
On the bowling side, Stanley Iata was the standout performer, claiming three crucial wickets for just 17 runs. Tim Cutler and Paul Kaltoi chipped in with a wicket each restricting the batting side to a modest total.
The second innings began with a strong opening partnership between R Tari and Aaron Strid. Tari played a flamboyant knock, scoring 45 off 29 balls with four boundaries and three sixes, before being dismissed by captain Mac Millan Markia. Strid continued the aggressive approach, remaining unbeaten with a splendid 50 off 35 balls, hitting eight boundaries. Tom Adams joined Strid and played a supporting role, contributing 6 not out off 14 balls, as they comfortably chased down the target in just 13 overs.
The bowling side struggled to contain the flow of runs, with Nalin Nipiko and Steve Sandy proving expensive, conceding 33 and 53 runs respectively in their four-over spells. Markia managed to pick up the lone wicket, finishing with figures of 1 for 17 from his four overs. Chad Natuoivi and Edwell Kalfau bowled economically but couldn’t make breakthroughs.
Current Standings after Round 6
Team | Pld | W | L | Drw | Abd | Pts | Total | NRR |
Tafea CC | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14.0 | 14.0 | +3.858 |
7 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 11.0 | 11.0 | +3.155 | |
6 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5.0 | 5.0 | -0.568 | |
6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | -1.157 | |
7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | -1.742 | |
7 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | -3.050 |
MVP Ladder:
1 | Tafea CC | 7 | 34.28 | 23.52 | 8.97 | 66.78 | |
2 | North Efate Bush Pigs | 6 | 41.49 | 15.4 | 4.06 | 60.96 | |
3 | Tafea CC | 7 | 26.1 | 25.13 | 2.55 | 53.79 | |
4 | Paama Sharks | 6 | 43.77 | 3.03 | 1.25 | 48.05 | |
5 | Splashe Mele Bulls | 6 | 8.52 | 27.46 | 1.25 | 37.24 |
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