Update: 6:56PM Strong competition is looming between Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Fiji after results on the first day of women?s cricket at the Port Moresby 2015 Pacific Games on Monday.
The Papua New Guinea women’s team, known as the Lewa’s
(which means ‘heart’ in pidgin), opened the T20 tournament with a convincing 55
run win against Vanuatu after posting a total of eight for 139 and limiting Vanuatu
to nine for 84 in reply.
PNG maintained its 100 per cent record in the afternoon,
batting first against Cook Islands and posting a tally of four for 180, then
bowling the opposition out for just 62 in the 19th over.
Norma Ovasuru (PNG) scored a punishing 75 in the win against
Cook Islands, with teammates Pauke Siaka (41 not out), 18-year-old Konio Oala
(22 not out) and Tanya Ruma (19) providing solid support.
Meanwhile, Fiji proved it will be a force in the tournament
by earlier beating Cook Islands by 71 runs. Twenty-two-year-old Luisa Tawatatau top scored with 48 not out as Fiji racked up 167 for the loss of four
wickets, then restricted the Cook Islanders to seven for 96 runs off its 20
overs.
Samoa also got off to a flying start with a 148-run mauling
of New Caledonia, with Regina Lilii (60), Lelia Bourne (35) and Feala Pula (25)
all contributing to Samoa’s 20-over tally of four for 204. The Samoans then
bowled New Caledonia out for 56.
Today’s matches will see Fiji and Samoa doubling up in two
games each. In the morning the Fijians play New Caledonia and Samoa meet
Vanuatu, while the afternoon session features Samoa versus Cook Islands and the
match of the day, Fiji against hosts Papua New Guinea.
