Most often there is pain in defeat, but making history offers a balm of redemption in an otherwise dire situation.
The City Pharmacy PNG Lewas had already made history by coming this far and reaching the semifinals of the ICC Women's World T20 Qualifiers (WWT20Q). But defeat to Ireland at that stage set up a 3rd/4th place playoff against Scotland.
After winning the toss, Scotland captain Kathryn Bryce chose to field and chase a total. And the decision paid off as opener Kopi John, the star in the match against Netherlands, was trapped LBW to Scholes in the very first over.
In fact, wickets fell regularly at one end for the Lewas as Sibona Jimmy battled alone against the Scots. Brenda Tau, Pauke Siaka and Tanya Ruma, all falling for single digits - the lack of partnerships a consistent theme in the Lewas’ defeats in the tournament.
But Jimmy played a knock full of grit and determination at the other end, confidently stroking the ball around the park. Unfortunately though, with the wickets falling, the scoring rate was effected.
PNG brought up their 50 in the 12th over, with a fine boundary by Jimmy, but Ruma fell in the same over, caught brilliantly by keeper Sarah Bryce.
Jimmy's bullish innings came to an end in the next over as she played a slower ball by Maqsood on to her stumps. Veru Kila Frank and Kaia Arua were the last recognised batswomen left in the City Pharmacy PNG Lewas line up and the pair tried to post a competitive total, with Frank impressing in particular.
Back to back boundaries off the bowling of McGill in the 17th over brought the score to 89/5 and it looked like a big push for the finish line was about. But only 12 runs came from the last 3 overs - only 3 from the last as well as the wicket of captain Kaia Arua - who was run out attempting a 3rd run with the team crossing the hundred run mark at the death.
PNG finished at 101/6 in their allotted overs and a strong bowling performance was needed to restrict the Scottish batting attack.
Sisters Bryce though did not once look in trouble as they comfortably built and managed their innings to perfection. While the City Pharmacy PNG Lewas bowled brilliantly in the powerplay, restricting Scotland to 22 in 6 overs, the lack of wickets spelt trouble and as the sisters started looking at the ball better, they started to accelerate the scoring.
The 50 came up in the 11th over and the boundaries started to flow after that. Captain Kaia Arua wrung in the changes in the bowling line up but nothing seemed to work as boundary after boundary brought up the hundred for Scotland and a 10 wicket victory, in only the next 6 overs.
Despite defeat though, the City Pharmacy PNG Lewas return to PNG with immense experience and the hope to still qualify for a world cup down the line. For captain Kaia Arua and Ravini Oa though, the tour continues as they join the ICC Global Development Squad in England for a 5 match series starting later this month.
Match Summary
City Pharmacy PNG Lewas 101/6 (20 Overs) V Frank 28*(28b, 4x4s), S Jimmy 25(35b, 2x4s), K Arua 12(18b), H Rainey 4-0-22-2, K Bryce 4-0-13-1, R Scholes 4-0-16-1
lost to
Scotland 102/0 (17 Overs) K Bryce 51*, S Bryce 41*(47b, 3x4s), M Tom 4-0-17-0, R Oa 4-0-19-0
by 10 wickets with 18 balls remaining
