Vanuatu have beaten the PNG A side by 28 runs in the opening day of men's cricket at the Pacific Games at the Bisini Grounds.
Vanuatu batted first and set a mammoth target of 172 runs thanks to Nalin Nipoko's 40 runs. His knock included 4 fours and 3 big sixes.
Middle order batsman Andrew Mansale chipped in late in the innings with 28. Vanuatu finished at 9/172.
PNG'S Kabua Vagi Morea was the best of the bowlers taking 4/20.
In their response, PNG'S openers Chris Amini (80) and Riley Hekure (33) got things going. But their dismissals spelt the end for PNG as 6 wickets fell in close succession for 21 runs.
In the end it was left to tail enders Joel Tom and Kohu Dai to chase down the target. Both batsmen finished unbeaten as PNG ran out of overs.
PNG finished with 6/144. Vanuatu's Patrick Matautaava was in devastating form taking 4/25.
In the other match today, Tonga beat New Caledonia by 37 runs.