Papua New Guinea have continued their dominant form in Apia with another convincing win against Japan today to take out the World Cricket League (Division one) section of the 2009 ICC East Asia Pacific Trophy.
Led superbly by rookie Captain Chris Amini, who took 3 for 6, PNG knocked over Japan for just 60. Amini was well supported by Loa Nou (2 for 18) and young leg-spinner Vali Albert (1 for 15).
In reply, the Barramundi's chased down the required 61 in just 7.1 overs, with opener Vani Vagi Morea smashing an unbeaten 41.
In the all important Round five clash of the Division two competition, Vanuatu were looking to continue their unbeaten run against a Cook Islands team desperate to notch another win and progress to the final ahead of Samoa.
Cooks began well, with Tino Etita (42) and Vane Tangimatua (15) putting together a partnership of 51, before Kenni Tari got the key wicket of Etita to a skied outfield catch by Damian Smith.
From there the Vanuatu bowlers applied excellent pressure, with medium pacer Patrick Haines (3-38) and of spinner Andrew Mansale (3 for 25) setting the standard as Cooks crumbled to be all out for 119.
In reply, Vanuatu chased down the target easily, with Captain Andrew Mansale, following up his century yesterday, with a stylish 47 and Jono Dunn making a composed 31 not out.
In the other Division two game, Indonesia won the toss and elected to bat and following from a solid batting performance in Round 4, were looking to again get above the 200 mark.
However, the Indonesians were unable to combat pace duo Mafi Langi (4 for 22) and Simione Latu (4 for 33), crumbling to 8 for 41, before Ajantha Thenuwara gave the scoreboard some respectability with a fighting 37. The last wicket pair of Melvin Ndoen and Bernadus Elle shared a stand of 27 to get the total up to 112.
Tonga began their chase poorly, losing Sione Holi and Kelepe Mau with the score on 21 but Aisake Haukinima's arrival to the crease saw the mood of the game change dramatically as he smashed the bowling to all parts of the field in a cameo knock of 34 with 4 sixes.
Filimone Moala (43) and Maka Valu (21*) also batted decisively as the Tongans passed the required target in just 14 overs with six wickets in hand.
Tomorrow's highlight is the play-off match between Vanuatu and Samoa for the World Cricket League Division 8 tournament placing. Cook Islands play Tonga for third spot in Division Two. The final Division One round robin match is between Papua New Guinea and Fiji while Japan will play against Indonesia.
Division One
Japan 60 (33) Chris Amini 3-6, Loa Nou 2-18 lost to PNG 61-0 (7.1) Vani Vagi Morea 41*
Division Two
Indonesia 112 (32.4) Ajantha Thenuwara 37, Bernadus Elle 21*, Mafi Langi 4-22, Simione Latu 4-33 lost to Tonga 116-4 (14.2) Filimone Moala 43, Aisake Haukinima 34, Maka Valu 21*
Cook Islands 119 (38.1) Tino Etita 42, Andrew Mansale 3-25, Patrick Haines 3-38, Kenny Tari 2-19 lost to Vanuatu 122-3 (18.1) Andrew Mansale 47, Jono Dunn 31*
Leading run scorers (50 over competition)
1. Andrew Mansale (Vanuatu) 181 at 60.33 2. Simpson Obed (Vanuatu) 140 at 70.00 3. Ben Mailata (Samoa) 129 at 43.00 4. Tino Etita (Cook Is) 127 at 31.75 5. Ajantha Thenuwara (Indonesia) 114 at 28.50 6. Faasao Mulivai (Samoa) 101 at 50.50 7. Ron Turner (Samoa) 101 at 33.67 8. Aisake Haukinima (Tonga) 93 at 23.25 9. Kaluseti Ofahulu (Tonga) 91 at 30.33 10. Josaia Baba (Fiji) 90 at 45.00
Leading wicket takers (50 over competition)
1. Tino Etita (Cook Is) 9 at 10.44 2. Simione Latu (Tonga) 9 at 14.33 3. Aby John (Vanuatu) 8 at 7.00 4. Lautala Fuimoana (Samoa) 8 at 8.87 5. Sakaraia Lomani (Fiji) 8 at 9.62 6. Patrick Haines (Vanuatu) 8 at 17.50 7. Sione Holi (Tonga) 7 at 14.14 8. Loa Nou (PNG) 6 at 5.16 9. Pita Tare (Cook Is) 6 at 12.67 10. Patrick Matautaava (Vanuatu) 6 at 13.16