Papua New Guinea have secured their place in the gold medal match of the Pacific Games women’s cricket tournament after beating Samoa today in Port Moresby.

Batting first after winning the toss, an opening partnership of 65 between Norma Ovasuru and Varoi Morea got PNG off to the start they needed. An innings of 31 from Tanya Ruma late on helped them reach 120-7 from their 20 overs.

Samoa then struggled to get on top of the home team’s bowlers in their reply. Nobody was really able to get a start as they were restricted to 95-7 from their 20 overs, losing by 25 runs.

In the other match of the morning, over at Colts Cricket Ground, the Cook Islands won the toss and chose to bat first against New Caledonia. They recovered from being 33-3 to post 132-8 from their 20 overs, before bowling out New Caledonia for 52 to win by 80 runs.

There was just one match in the afternoon as Fiji took on Vanuatu at Amini Park for the right to play Samoa in the gold medal match qualifier. It was the Vanuatu captain who won the toss, choosing to have her team bat first.

Vanuatu struggled in their innings, and extras, with 26, was the top scorer as they were bowled out for 82. Rachel Andrew then led the way in Fiji’s reply, scoring an unbeaten 34 as they completed a five wicket win.

Today’s results mean that as well as PNG securing their place in the gold medal match tomorrow, Fiji and Samoa will play in a qualifying match tomorrow morning, with the winner playing PNG in the afternoon. The loser of that qualifying match will take on Vanuatu in the bronze medal match.

Results

Papua New Guinea beat Samoa by 25 runs
Amini Park, Port Moresby, 10 July
Papua New Guinea 120-7 (20 overs, V Morea 38, T Iosefo 3-17)
Samoa 95-7 (20 overs)

Cook Islands beat New Caledonia by 80 runs
Colts Cricket Ground, Port Moresby, 10 July
Cook Islands 132-8 (20 overs)
New Caledonia 52 (17.5 overs, J George 3-7)

Fiji beat Vanuatu by 5 wickets
Amini Park, Port Moresby, 10 July
Vanuatu 82 (17.1 overs)
Fiji 84-5 (16.5 overs)