PNG Barramundis win SACA Premier League T/20 Cup
The Barramundis won their last pool match against the Northern Mavericks on Friday and booked a semi-final spot in the SACA Premier League T/20 cup. The Barramundis put on 154 runs before restricting the Mavericks to 133. On Saturday second place Digicel Barramundis took on third place Northern Territory while the First place Southern Force played Fourth place Northern Mavericks in the first semi-final match-up on Saturday morning. Southern Force and Digicel Barramundis won their semi-final matches respectively and both teams advanced through to the deciding match on Saturday afternoon.
Digicel PNG Barramundis captain Jack Vare lost the toss and were sent in to field and the pace attack of Norman Vanua, Pipi Raho and Willie Gavera stepped up to the task. The bowlers started off well with aggression and reduced the Southern Force to 5/40 in the first 10 overs. Southern Force middle order batsmen A Gregory (49) and T Plant (43) gallantly build the Force total to 5/120 in their 20 overs as the PNG bowlers bowled tightly. Pace bowlers Norman Vanua 2/11, Pipi Raho 1/25, Willie Gavera 1/31 and were ably supported by spin bowlers Assad Vala 1/15 and Mahuru Dai 0/7 runs.
Digicel PNG Barramundis batsmen chased the target down to the wire on the last ball with one wicket to retained the SACA PL T/20 cup for the second year running. The Barramundis run chase was a tough task as they kept losing wickets at key stages. The strong Force bowling attack kept the pressure with tight bowling with a small target to defend. Opening batsman Tony Ura scored 29 runs, Mahuru Dai 25, Jack Vare 11 and Kila Pala 11 scored double figures to help the runs chase. The match came down to the last over with Digicel PNG Barramundis needing three runs of the last 6 balls and one wicket in hand. Willie Gavera and Norman Vanua held their nerves and scored the remaining three runs to ensure the Digicel Barramundis retained their title as the champions of the SACA PL T/20 competition.
Digicel Barramundis captain Jack Vare wrapped their team’s success to pure dedication and sacrifice to do well for their country. We had a tough year with lots of cricket and also some challenges along the way but we stuck together as a group and achieved success together.
The Head Coach Dipak Patel said the SACA Premier League competition was a tough road but full credit to the boys they stayed focus on their task all the way through. A winning culture is being developed in the team and we will work hard to maintain it and compete hard for success at the international stage. It was a successful year for the Barramundis and to finish off on a winning note is encouraging as we look ahead to the new-year,” concluded Patel.
Grand Final Match Summary
Southern Force 5/120 (20) Alex Gregory 49* (47), Ben Bullimore 43*(36), Norman Vanua 2/11, Assad Vala 1/15 defeated by DIGICEL PNG Barramundis 9/121 (20) Tony Ura 29 (31), Mahuru Dai 25 (31), Akash Patel 3/18, Stuart Claring-Bould 2/22, Jack Pudney 2/26 by 1 wicket.
Post a Comment