TELIKOM Titans remain unbeaten after booking a spot in the finals of the SP Super Series twenty-20 after convincingly winning two matches yesterday at Amini Park.
Titans will meet Brian Bell in the playoff for first place this Sunday after the Titans won their round two and three matches.
Inform batsman Assad Vala laid the foundation for Titans victories when the 20 year old batsman from Keapara village hit 43 runs off 23 balls (in round 2) and 46 runs off 36 balls (in round 3) to inspire the underdogs to their maiden twenty-20 finals.
Vala’s innings included huge sixes which he confidently hit three in round two and four in round three.
Vala after the match against Brian Bell said he was happy with his batting performance but said there was an opportunity for him to make half century.
“I’m happy with the way I batted this afternoon, I guess the six months I spent with the Wanders club in Townsville has really helped me which was showed with a big difference in my batting today.
“There’s still a lot of room for improvement and I will be working on those at training this week for the finals next Sunday,” said a positive Vala.
Man of the match Peter Moide also became the first batsman in the SP super series to reach half century when he made 65 runs which was disappointingly not enough to help Brian Bell beat Titans in their round three match.
In round two Titans again kept Steamships Hardware winless with a five wicket win.
After winning the toss and electing to bat Titans displayed determination and courage with Vala (43) and Mahuta Kivung (24) setting the pace for the decisive win.
In reply Chris Amini’s side bravely fought through their 20 overs as Titans bowlers led by bowlers Greg Baeau (3/21) and man of the match Kivung (3/13) claimed vital wickets to end Steamships hopes of a finals berth.
Top scorers for Steamships Frank Doura, Tony Ura and Daniel Alu, who all scored 27 runs, tried their best to chase the target but the middle order and tail enders could not withstand Titans destructive bowlers.
For the third place playoff, Trukai Invincible will meet Steamships Hardware after beating the Gavera Rarua side by 31 runs also in round three.
In the round two matches earlier in the day, Trukai Invincibles succumbed to its second defeat when Brian Bell hammered Serua Loa’s side by 24 runs.
Man of the match, all rounder Joel Tom proved a handful for Trukai when the 19 year old Hanuabada man scored 29 runs and took 2 wickets for 11 runs to keep his side’s twenty-20 finals hopes alive.
Invincibles skipper John Ovia batting at number nine could not save his side as the Brian Bell bowlers led by Tom destroyed any plans Ovia and his side had up their sleeves.
But in round three Ovia’s side struck when after having won the toss and chosing to bat scored 108 runs after 20 overs with Lae import Alfred Amini top scoring with 40 runs along with KCC’s leathal weapon Eava Lamond (30 runs) to defeat Steamships Hardware by 31 runs.
Last Modified on 25/04/2008 12:15