Brian Bell and Steamships Hardware continued their winning ways with victories over Trukai Invincibles and Telikom Titans in round 3 of the One Day SP Super Series on Sunday.
At Amini Park Brian Bell (10/ 235) won the match by 93 runs after bowling Trukai Invincibles all out for 142 while at the Colts Grounds Steamships Hardware (6/147) defeated Telikom Titans (10/145) by five wickets.
Brian Bell’s 93 run victory over the Invincibles has shot the twenty/20 champions to the top of the SP Super Series ladder with 8 points while Steamships Hardware over whelming five wicket win has moved the Gavera Rarua coached side to second on the ladder with 6 points.
In third place is Trukai Invincible with 5 points and Telikom Titans is in fourth place with 3 points.
All rounder Kohu Dai helped Brian Bell whistle home comfortably when the Hanuabada man made his first century in the series and latter in the second innings took three wickets for 14 runs to help bowl out Invincibles by 142 runs.
Young Joel Tom also helped set up the solid target when he also made his first half century (57 not out).
Tom and Paul Tianna (32) rescued the Brian Bell batting with an 86 run partnership after the middle order experienced a disaster with the Invincibles bowlers ripping through the batting order which witnessed dangerous batsmen Peter Moide (1), Jamie Brazier (0), Ipi Morea (3) and Rarua Dikana (5) getting out cheaply.
Invincibles fast bowlers Maru Hobart (2/40) was responsible for taking the prized scalp of Moide and Brazier, having them caught by wicket keeper Piki Ravusiro and Wala Vala respectively.
In the second innings the Invincibles got to a flying start with Wala Vala (52) making his second half century and Mahuru Dai (28) putting together an 87 run partnership to steer their Trukai team to a possible victory.
But all hell broke loose when Dai was trapped for lbw by Brian Bell skipper Rarua Dikana and his dismissal just paved the way for the Brian Bell bowlers to tear the Invincibles batting order apart.
At the Colts Grounds wicket keeper Arua Dikana (39) and bowlers Greg Baeau (33) and Jason Kila (34) were the only three batsmen to score double figures in their six wicket loss against a rejuvenated Steamships Hardware outfit.
Lou Nou (3/30), John Haoda (3/34) and Toka Gaudi (3/24) destroyed the Titans solid bating order with 19 year old Nou responsible for getting their three key batsmen, Jeremiah Nigani (5), Kapena Arua (0) and Assad Vala (4) out.
In the second innings Steamships Hardware had a scare in their easy run chase when Titans fast bowler Willie Gavera clean bowled Frank Joseph sending a warning call to the enemy’s camp.
But the warning never had any ‘big’ effect as Mavara Tamasi (13), Rarua Ipi (18) and skipper Chris Amini (18) made respectable figures to help man of the man Kila Pala (57) carry Steamships Hardware to victory.
Gavera was only Titans top wicket taker, his other two dismals were Ipi and Amini getting them caught behind by wicket keeper Arua Dikana.
Steamships Hardware coach Gavera Rarua was relieve with the win after a disappointing loss to Trukai Invincible last Sunday.
“Actually Titans did not perform well with the bat scoring 145 which I thought was not safe and enough to guarantee them a win.
“Our batting strength obviously gave us the upper hand and sensible batting especially from Kila Pala gave us that extra edge to push us home to victory.
“I’m also glad that Loa Nou and John Haoda ripped through their batting order with Toka Gaudi, I thought the three bowlers were very impressive.
“So its big relief to get a win again and sets us up in the run towards the semis. We really made up for the previous loss and I’m confident we can win the next match,” Gavera said.
Last Modified on 19/05/2008 15:55