Telikom Titans and Trukai Invincibles made history on Sunday by booking themselves Grand Final berths in the SP Super Series. Both sides recorded emphatic victories in their semi-finals matches meaning that these two teams will now play off for the inaugural SP Super Series trophy this coming Sunday.
In the First Semi-Final held on Amini Park between Steamships Hardware and Telikom Titans, the Titans staged a massive reversal in form to record an eight wicket victory and relegate minor premiers Steamships Hardware to the third place playoff. Steamships Hardware, who were warm favorites going into the match after comfortably defeating the Titans last weekend, batted first in the semi final and produced the very competitive score of 251 before they were all out in the 49th over.
It was a team performance by the Steamships Hardware batsmen, as no single player scored above forty but the runs flowed steadily enough throughout the innings to set up what would appear to be a match winning score. Both Frank Joseph and the mature Toka Gaudi top scored for Steamies with 39, with Kila Pala providing a lusty lower order cameo by clubbing four sixes in his 32 at number nine. For Telikom Titans, young paceman Willie Gavera was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets for 28 runs, including the top 3 Steamies batsmen.
In reply, the talented Titans batsmen finally produced what they had threatened to do throughout the preliminary matches when they smoked the Steamships Hardware bowlers to all parts of the ground. After a solid opening partnership of 86 between Arua Dikana and Jimmy Maha, who had been promoted up the order, Assad Vala joined Maha at the crease and these batsmen brought Steamships Hardware to their knees with a 155 run partnership. Maha and Vala were merciless on the bowlers as they batted with flair and skill with both players regularly finding the boundary – Vala studded his innings with five fours and two sixes and Maha hit 16 fours. When Vala was caught by Toka Gaudi off the bowling of John Haoda for 77, the score was 2/241 and the game dead and buried, however Maha continued to plunder the bowlers to the very end and finished on a masterly 117 not out. It was the first century in the SP Super Series and an emphatic batting display from the veteran Titans player.
Over at Colts ground, the Second Semi Final between Brian Bell and Trukai Invincibles was a much more even affair. Both teams had finished second and third on the ladder and the evenness of the two teams made for a close encounter. Trukai Invincibles skipper John Ovia won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first and setting Brian Bell a big target. The Trukai top order produced some solid partnerships but could not get on top of the Brian Bell bowlers and when Mahuru Dai was caught by Joel Tom off the bowling of Toua Gamu, the Trukai Invincibles were teetering at 5 wickets for 120. But a stoic middle order revival from John Ovia (43) and Arua Uda (56) was the tonic for Trukai as they forged past 200 and reached 8 for 251 at the close of the innings.
Missing Jamie Brazier and having a big score to chase, Brian Bell got off to a poor start when they lost playmakers Tanti Heni, Kohu Dai and Peter Moide early in their innings but slowly rebuilt through Jamie Iga (35) and Toua Gamu (37) in the middle order. However, Brian Bell’s batsmen could never quite keep up with the required run rate and lost quick wickets when trying to chase quick runs in the latter half of the innings. Despite Arina Lahari’s defiant 28 not out, the Trukai bowlers quickly rapped up the tail and Brian Bell was dismissed for 208 in the 46th over. Both Maru Hobart and Vagi Nou took 3 wickets for Trukai Invincibles, ensuring that the Invincibles booked their place in the Grand Final against the Titans.
The SP Super Series Grand Final will be played at Amini Park between Telikom Titans and Trukai Invincibles on Sunday 22nd June, whilst the playoff for third place will see Steamships Hardware battle it out against Brian Bell on Colts Ground.
Last Modified on 16/06/2008 10:05