Steamships Hardware and Trukai Invincibles sent out a stern warning for the semi finals this Sunday with convincing wins their respective matches in round 6 of the SP Super Series last Sunday.
However Steamships Hardware were made to work hard for their win with Telikom Titans fighting the match right down to the wire.
Titan’s magic hitter Kapena Arua became the highest run scorer in the SP Super Series when the Hanuabada batsman made 91 runs in their 37 run loss to Steamships Hardware.
Steamships Hardware 7/238 defeated Telikom Titans 10/202 with Arua claiming the man of the match award for his brilliant knock with the bat in a losing side.
At Colts Grounds little known all rounder Vagi Nou ignited the Trukai Invincibles to a five wicket win when he blasted 59 runs in the second innings to set up the solid foundation for the win.
Nou was supported very well by Piki Ravusiro’s 43 runs before Seia Ovia (15 not out) and Dala Momo (27 not out) came on board and added the final runs for victory.
But the game that shook the Queens Birthday weekend and had the spectators standing on their toes was at Amini Park when the Telikom Titans tested Steamships Hardware beyond their limits.
After winning the toss and electing to bat Steamships Hardware all rounder Ipi Morea coming up the batting order at second in place of Frank Joseph opened the batting with Frank Doura.
Morea did not let his team down when he made 71 runs, his highest so far in the series, to put Steamships Hardware in a good winning position.
With Morea getting out at the 18th the over, captain Chris Amini chipped in 39 runs together with Mavara Tamasi (24 runs) and were able to contribute significantly to their team’s defendable target.
Arua Leke (18 runs not out) and Loa Nou (7 run not out) also provided some last minute resistance for 238 runs after 50 overs.
In reply Telikom Titans started their innings terribly losing four wickets at the hands of Steamships Hardware fast bowlers Loa Nou (2-21) and John Haoda (3-37).
Joseph Moses (0), Arua Dikana (1), Assad Vala (2) and Jimmy Maha (13) could not withstand Nou and Haoda’s pace attack leaving the Titans reeling at 4/27 and needing a miracle to get them back on track.
Arua provided the miracle and along with his skipper Mahuta Kivung (43 runs) put together 140 run partnership the highest so far in SP Super Series.
Unfortunately Kivung was caught by wicket keeper Daniel Alu courtesy of spinner Frank Doura leaving Arua to do all the hard work by himself.
Titans tail could not wag strongly which witnessed their entire batsman getting out following Arua’s tragic run out by John Haoda leaving Titans no hope of laying claim on a possible victory.
Telikom Titans coach Eddie Tamarua was happy that his side put up on a good challenge which indicated the semi finals this Sunday was not going to be easy.
“Credit goes to Kapena Arua and Mahuta Kivung for putting in a solid partnership which nearly got us home but Steamships Hardware never gave up and kept chasing us right to the end.
“Arua especially really played his heart out and it was disappointing to see the young man not only take his side to win the match but not also been able to make his first century.
“I’m looking forward to the semi finals and I’m positive my side can repeat another good performance and hopefully get us all to our first grand final appearance,” Tamarua said.
Steamships Hardware team manager Killian Amini congratulated his side on their win but warned them that the battle was not over yet as they must still work extra hard for the semi finals on Sunday.
Last Modified on 10/06/2008 08:10