In matches played in Apia today Fiji scored a thrilling last ball win over Japan, Vanuatu continued their excellent form with a victory over Tonga and Samoa held off a determined Indonesia to get home by 87 runs.

Sakaraia Lomani got Fiji off to a good start in the Division One game against Japan dismissing Kensuke Kobayashi in the first over but two dropped catches shortly after gave the Japanese team a chance to regroup. Initially they batted carefully but with wickets in hand, Razaq Cheema (62) took his opportunity to up the tempo with some huge blows as Japan scored 65 runs from their 5 over batting power play to finish on 213-7. Tatsuro Chino, the Japanese wicketkeeper played the sheet anchor role to score 37.

In reply, Fiji lost wickets at vital stages throughout their innings.

Josaia Baba (27) and Josefa Rika (27) both got set and looked capable of leading the Blues to a comfortable victory but Baba was run out by Masaomi Kobayashi and Rika walked across the crease and had his leg stump knocked out by Takuro Hagihara. There was more trouble for Fiji when Greg Browne prodded at a ball outside his off stump and was caught in the gully.

Peni Rika's innings was ended by a neat piece of wicketkeeping by Chino, standing up to medium pacer Naoki Miyaji and at 132-7 Fiji were contemplating a surprise defeat. However, tailender Sakaraia Lomani breathed some life back into the game scoring a quick 41 that included 5 fours and 2 sixes in partnership with Josefa Dabea, who was batting sensibly amid the chaos. When Lomani was bowled by Miyaji and Maciu Gauna was dismissed caught behind for 3, Fiji were 202 for 9, still 12 runs short of the required target with two overs remaining.

Lee Waqaituinayau and Dabea worked the singles and by the start of the last over 7 runs were needed for victory.

In a tense last over the Fijians scrambled two singles from the first three balls and on the fourth delivery Waqaituinayau edged a ball just past the keeper for four runs. Japan brought the field in to cut off the single and the fifth ball of the over was a play and miss. Needing a single to win, Waqaituinayau smashed the last ball of the match over the long on boundary for six. Satoshi Nakano gave up just 16 runs in a crucial 10 over spell to be the best of the Japanese bowlers.

It was a gutsy performance by both sides and almost an historic one by Japan.

Dabea earned the EAP Man of the Match award for his innings of 48 not out.

Yesterday, Simpson Obed scored the first hundred by a Vanuatu player in senior ICC competition.Today, another Vanuatu youngster, Andrew Mansale, scored his maiden international ton to guide his side to a very respectable 245-7 against Tonga. His splendid knock contained 10 fours and 3 sixes. Lazaro Carlot, Simpson Obed and Aby John made useful cameo contributions. Sione Holi took 52-4 for Tonga.

In their 25 over response, Tonga tried to hammer the Vauatu attack into submission. Runs flowed easily but wickets were lost regularly and despite a brave and bold 71 from Kaluseti Ofahulu, Tonga were never really in contention. Aby John followed up his five wicket haul yesterday with three wickets while Patrick Matautaava also bowled superbly for Vanuatu.

Ben Mailata showed why he has been included in the East Asia Pacific squad for 2009/2010 with a well made 66 in Samoa's total of 308-5 against Indonesia. All the Samoans got to double figures. Ron Turner made 51 with Sipiliano Tua's 41 not out and Faasao Mulivai's 36 not out with 5 sixes, the best of the rest. Mulivai has been one of the finds of the tournament and will surely come under consideration for a place in the EAP squad in future. 19 year old Gede Suda Arsa was outstanding for Indonesia bowling four maidens in 10 overs and conceding just 27 runs.

Indonesia fought hard in response to make 221. Dihan Silva made his debut half-century and Amarkumar Kapadia (27) and three players, Arsa, Yesemberti Rosongna and Wayan Suandi all chipped in with 21. Ron Turner capped off a fine all round game with figures of 3 for 38 for Samoa.

Division One

Japan 213-7 (50) Razaq Cheema 62, Tatsuro Chino 37, Tetsuo Fuji 28*, Masaomi Kobayashi 27, Iniasi Cakacaka 2-18 lost to Fiji 219-9 (50) Josefa Dabea 48*, Sakaraia Lomani 41, Josefa Rika 27, Josaia Baba 27, Satoshi Nakano 2-16

Division Two

Samoa 308-5 (50) Ben Mailata 66, Ron Turner 51, Sipiliano Tua 41*, Faasao Mulivai 36* defeated Indonesia 221 (46.4) Dihan Silva 71, Amarkumar Kapadia 27, Ron Turner 3-38

Vanuatu 245-7 (50) Andrew Mansale 115, Simpson Obed 32, Lazaro Carlot 29, Aby John 26, Sione Holi 4-52 defeated Tonga 140 (25) Kaluseti Ofahulu 71, Aisake Haukinima 21, Aby John 3-19, Patrick Matautaava 3-25

Leading run scorers (50 over competition)

1. Andrew Mansale (Vanuatu) 144 at 72.00
2. Simpson Obed (Vanuatu) 140 at 70.00
3. Ben Mailata (Samoa) 129 at 43.00
4. Faasao Mulivai (Samoa) 101 at 50.50
5. Ron Turner (Samoa) 101 at 33.67
6. Kaluseti Ofahulu (Tonga) 91 at 30.33
7. Josaia Baba (Fiji) 90 at 45.00
8. Tino Etita (Cook Is) 85 at 28.33
9. Dihan Silva (Indonesia) 81 at 27.00
10. Geoff Clarke (Samoa) 80 at 26.67

Leading wicket takers (50 over competition)

1. Aby John (Vanuatu) 8 at 7.00
2. Lautala Fuimoana (Samoa) 8 at 8.87
3. Sakaraia Lomani (Fiji) 8 at 9.62
4. Tino Etita (Cook Is) 7 at 8.28
5. Sione Holi (Tonga) 7 at 13.14
6. Pita Tare (Cook Is) 6 at 10.00
7. Patrick Matautaava (Vanuatu) 6 at 13.16
8. Winston Mariner (Samoa) 6 at 21.33
9. Pipi Raho (PNG) 5 at 4.00
10. Simpson Obed (Vanuatu) 5 at 4.00