Papua New Guinea and Samoa have secured their places in the next stage of qualification for the 2018 Women's World Twenty20 as the Pacific Games continues in Port Moresby.
Samoa took on Fiji in the morning at Colts Cricket Ground, with Fijian captain Alicia Dean winning the toss and choosing to bat first. They struggled against the Samoan bowling attack and were only able to score 92-6 from their 20 overs, Sinei Mulivai taking 3-8. Mulivai then completed a fine all-round performance by scoring an unbeaten 59 from 34 balls as her team completed a nine wicket win.
The other match of the morning over at Amini Park, Vanuatu won the toss and chose to bat first against New Caledonia. New Caledonia put in their best bowling performance of the tournament so far by restricting Vanuatu to 107-9 from their 20 overs, Selina Solman top scoring with 41.
The batting then let New Caledonia down as they were bowled out for just 47 to lose by 60 runs. Leimauri Chilia was the pick of the bowlers, taking five wickets for just seven runs in her four overs of work.
Vanuatu then hot footed it over to Colts for their afternoon match against the Cook Islands. Vanuatu again chose to bat first and again scored just over 100 from their 20 overs, reaching 104-8. Solman was the top scorer again, this time with 34. She then took 3-9 as the Cook Islands were kept to 74-7 from their 20 overs, Vanuatu winning by 30 runs.
Meanwhile New Caledonia remained at Amini Park to take on the might of Papua New Guinea. The home side batting first after winning the toss and Konio Oala was in imperious form, smashing an unbeaten 108 from just 65 balls as PNG racked up 194-3 from their 20 overs. The visitors were then bowled out for 62 to lose by 132 runs, Boni David taking 4-10.
The results today mean that in the separate points table for the EAP qualification pathway associated with this event - which excludes matches against New Caledonia - PNG and Samoa are guaranteed to finish in the top two places. They will play a tri-series with Japan next year.
The Pacific Games tournament will continue tomorrow with the final three matches in the round robin stage. Papua New Guinea will take on Samoa in a match that will decide which team goes straight to the gold medal match. The Cook Islands will play New Caledonia in a battle of the two teams without a win, whilst Vanuatu will take on Fiji.
Results
Samoa beat Fiji by 9 wickets
Colts Cricket Ground, Port Moresby, 9 July
Fiji 92-6 (20 overs, S Mulivai 3-8)
Samoa 93-1 (10.2 overs, S Mulivai 59*)
Vanuatu beat New Caledonia by 60 runs
Amini Park, Port Moresy, 9 July
Vanuatu 107-9 (20 overs, S Solman 41)
New Caledonia 47 (15.2 overs, L Chilia 5-7)
Vanuatu beat Cook Islands by 30 runs
Colts Cricket Ground, Port Moresby, 9 July
Vanuatu 104-8 (20 overs)
Cook Islands 74-7 (20 overs, S Solman 3-9, V Langiatu 3-11)
Papua New Guinea beat New Caledonia by 132 runs
Amini Park, Port Moresby, 9 July
Papua New Guinea 194-3 (20 overs, K Oala 108*, V Morea 42)
New Caledonia 62 (19 overs, B David 4-10, T Ruma 3-9)