Coming into round three of the 20/20 competition, PNG and Fiji stood on top of their respective group tables. Both would have to lose their final round robin game by extraordinary margins to miss out on the 20/20 final to be played in the afternoon.

It was not to be. PNG won the toss against Tonga and elected to give their batsmen first use, having only faced 7.1 overs in the two matches on day one. Their score of 180-4 was always going to be tough to chase down but Tonga did well to reach a respectable 139-8 from their 20 overs.

The Fijians, who have a reputation for attacking stroke play, clobbered the Indonesia bowlers to score 197-1. Josaia Baba made 103, the only hundred of the 20/20 competition and was well supported by Jo Dabea with 74 not out. In reply Indonesia scored 92-6 with Peni Rika and Lee Waqa taking two wickets each.

Japan don't have big hitters like Fiji. Instead, they place the ball into the gaps and run hard between wickets. This formula enabled them to post a winning total of 140 against Cook Islands. Masaomi Kobayashi top scored with 52 that included just 2 boundaries. Japan's bowlers were tidy as always and restricted Cooks to 83-9.

Samoa look to have a strong side for this tournament and judging by their early efforts, could be firming as the favourite to grab the WCL Division 8 spot. They were able to record a confidence boosting win over Vanuatu, their main rival in the 50 over qualifiers perhaps, with a tight 4 wicket win with 4 balls to spare. Murphy Sua, the former Black Cap paceman took four wickets.

So it would be a PNG v Fiji 20/20 final in the afternoon as most expected it would be.

PNG batted first and made an imposing 206, the highest total of the competition, with Chris Amini scoring 82 from just 50 balls and Jeremiah Nigani compiling a brilliant 80 which contained 8 sixes.

Fiji got off to a terrible start in their reply when Baba, the century maker from the morning, was run out first ball. Then another blow! Key batsman Josefa Rika was struck on the foot by a Willie Gavera yorker and was forced to retire hurt. With wickets falling around him, Iniasi Cakacaka tried to bludgeon his side to victory with a quick fire 60 with 5 sixes but he received little support and the Fijians were bowled out for 107.

PNG did it quite easily. They clearly have some very good players to replace the recently retired John Ovia, Jamie Brazier, Peter Moide and Ipi Morea and they look to have an edge over the other sides in fast bowling with Willie Gavera, Loa Nou and Pipi Raho. To think, they also have captain Rarua Dikana and U/19 stars Raymond Haoda and John Reva waiting in the wings.

In the consolation finals Samoa were far too strong for Japan, Vanuatu likewise versus Cook Islands and Tonga recorded their first win of the tournament against Indonesia.

Morning session results

Vanuatu 117-9 (20) Lazaro Carlot 30, Damien Smith 23, Murphy Sua 4-23 lost to Samoa 118-6 (19.2) Faasao Mulivai 31
PNG 180-4 (20) Assad Vala 79, Vani Vagi Morea 36, Chris Amini 25* defeated Tonga 139-8 (20) Simione Latu 44, Filimone Moala 39, Sione Holi 31, Vani Vagi Morea 3-36
Japan 140-9 (20) Masaomi Kobayashi 52, Kensuke Kobayashi 30, Thomas Teinaki 3-17 defeated Cook Islands 92-8 (20) Tino Etita 24, Naoki Miyaji 3-12
Fiji 197-1 (20) Josaia Baba 103*, Jo Dabea 74* defeated Indonesia 92-6 (20)

Afternoon finals

Final: PNG 206-9 (20) Chris Amini 82, Jeremiah Nigani 80 defeated Fiji 107 (16) Iniasi Cakacaka 60, Pipi Raho 3-30
3rd place play-off: Japan 43 (15.1) Lautala Fuimoana 3-9 lost to Samoa 46-3 (10.1) Ben Mailata 24*
5th place play-off: Vanuatu 148-7 (20) Jono Dunn 43, Trevor Langa 22, Thomas Teinaki 3-21 defeated Cook Islands 83-9 (20) Thomas Teinaki 27
7th place play-off: Tonga 173-5 (20) Kaluseti Ofahulu 60, Sione Holi 53, Simione Latu 22 defeated Indonesia 132 (18.3) Pratyush Chaturvedi 47, Putra Dharmawan 26, Aisake Haukinima 4-12