HEBOU PNG Barramundis

Winning the toss, the Barramundis batted first and started off badly with opener Tony Ura getting dismissed after scoring only two runs.

Lega Siaka (30 ) and Assad Vala (64) helped get the Barramundis back on track to push the score up to 174 after the fourth wicket.

But it was Sese Bau who did the damage for the Barramundis blasting an unbeaten 112 runs.

The Barramundis ended the day with 7/304 after 96 overs were bowled.

The top bowler for the Northern Territory was Joel Logan with 3/71.

Day two is underway today with Northern Territory batting.

The match was washed out due to bad weather which forced a draw.

The other two round 6 matches (Southern Force vs Western Grit and Northern Mavericks vs Eastern Edge) also had the same results with draws in both games due to the rain.

The Barramundis will now turn all their attention to the two day matches: October 5 – 6; Barramundis v Northern Territory and October 8-9; Hebou PNG Barramundis v Western Grit.

Photo: File Pic

Chasing 260 for the win, the Barras got off to a strong start with openers Tony Ura and Vani Vagi Morea putting on an opening partnership of 79 runs.

The Barras lost the wickets of Lega Siaka (17) and Assad Vala (1) cheaply but still looked comfortable at 3/107 with Sese Bau and Morea at the crease.

Morea was eventually dismissed just after reaching his half century by Timothy Oakley.

But middle order bastman and veteran, Mahuru Dai (74) helped guide the Barras safely home to victory.

The Barras won the toss and made the decision to send in their opponents- Eastern Edge in to bat first.

Trent Keep (61) and Matthew Weaver (57) were the top scorers for Eastern Edge with handy contributions late in the innings from Elliot Opie (45) and Tyrell Sinclair (15) who finished not out.

Eastern Edge batted out the full 50 overs finishing at 9/260.

Chad Soper (3/42) and Willie Gavera (3/33) were outstanding for the Barras taking three wickets each.

The Barras are batting now.

This will be a another 50 over encounter for the Barras who will be hoping to bounce back with a win after going down to Western Grit by 86 runs this week.

The Barramundis have flown to Adelaide to play the second half of the SACA Premier League.

After four matches in Darwin, the Barramundis have won two, lost one and drawn one match.

The remaining Barramundis fixtures:

Monday 3 October- Barramundis v Northern Territory, Wednesday and Thursday (5 and 6)- Barramundis vs Northern Territory, Saturday and Sunday (8 and 9)- Barramundis vs Western Grit.

The Barramundis lost their first match in their campaign in the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) Premier League losing by 86 runs to the Western Grit.

Vala said his side started well after winning the toss and electing to field first.

He said the new opening bowling pair of young Nosiana Pokana and Pipi Raho took one wicket each in the power play conceding about 40 odd runs against a good quality batting line up.

“They were well supported by the quick duo of Norman and Willie who both bowled with a lot pace and control.

Following a disappointing Maroochydore tour earlier this month against three (3) Australian State teams – Tasmania, Western Australia and Queensland, the Hebou Barramundis are hoping to improve their performance in the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) League campaign.

Cricket PNG’s High Performance manager and former captain for the Barramundis, Rugi Dikana commented on the busy schedule for the national men’s cricket team,

“The Maroochydore Tour was the first time we’ve played any states sides and it was a good experience for the boys,” said Dikana.

 The Barramundis had a target of 255 but started the chase badly in the opening with 6/67 with none of the top five batsmen reaching double figures, before being bowled out for 161 inside 42 overs.

Norman Vanua (35), Dogodo Bau (26) and Mahuru Dai (25) were the main contributors with the bat for the Hebou PNG Barramundis, while Prestwidge (3/40), Steketee (2/16) and Mullen (2/44) were the pick of the Queensland bowlers.

After the match, former Australian Test Opening Batsman and current Queensland Bulls Head Coach, Phil Jaques reflected on the match.

Farrell made these comments after reflecting on the performance of the Barras after their 50 over match against a tough Tasmanian side. 

“The team showed a lot of fight to post 164, after being 8-81 at one stage.  Apart from Andrew Perrin, all of Tasmania’s bowlers have had either domestic one day or Big Bash experience.

“The PNG team showed great enthusiasm in the field and their love for the game and want to compete really hard was obvious.

Featuring Australian internationals Tim Paine, Alex Doolan and Xavier Doherty, the Barras struggled early on in the match, collapsing to 8/76 when Dogodo Bau was caught by Paine off the bowling of Bell in the 27^th over.

Only Vani Vagi Morea (11) and Assad Vala (14) managed to reach double figures at the top of the order.

Fortunately for the Barras, Norman Vanua (66) and Chad Soper (22) put on a good partnership to guide the Barras to a respectable score.

Their 56 run ninth wicket partnership helped the Barras set a target of 165.