Trukai Invincibles and Telikom Titans orchestrated unbelievable performances to keep their SP Super Series Cricket grand final hopes alive after overwhelming victories in round five yesterday.
At Colts Grounds Telikom Titans registered their second win of the series when master batsman Assad Vala’s 67 runs and Kapena Arua’s magic 55 runs (not out) guided them to a six wicket win over Brian Bell.
Titans 4/204 (43.4) defeated Brian Bell 10/202 (48.5)
At Amini Park the John Ovia captained side defeated a rejuvenated Steamships Hardware side by four runs with three balls to spare at the 11th hour to steal what could have been a Steamships Hardware victory.
Invincibles 10/191 (48.4) defeated Steamships Hardware 10/187 (47.4)
Kila Pala (32 not out) lifted his side’s hopes when he came in at a crucial time when Steamships Hardware were 7/141 and needed a miracle to win with two wickets in hand.
Earlier Invincibles fast bowler Maru Hobart was responsible for causing havoc when he broke a crucial 48 run partnership between Daniel Alu (27) and his captain Chris Amini (18).
Hobart’s first victim was Alu when he had the wicketkeeper caught by Seia Ovia at cover and two overs later sent Amini packing with a fancy clean bowling style.
With the dismissal’s Steamships Hardware looked beyond recovering as who thought their tail would wag.
But it did when Pala bating at number nine steadied their ship and guided it beautifully with well timed sweep shots and cover drives to send Ovia into panic mood.
And with spinner Vagi Nou succumbing to a muscle cramp and Hobart completing his ten over spell, Steamships Hardware could not believe their luck and Pala tore the Invincibles bowling attack apart.
With Ovia bowling 19 year old Rei Raga for three runs it was up to their last batsman Loa Nou to support Pala and get Steamships Hardware home.
With three overs to spare and four runs to win Steamships Hardware could have easily walked over the finishing line but failed miserable when an unexpected call for a single witnessed Nou run out by Nikao Rima.
Having won the toss and elected to bat the Invincibles were all bowled out for 191 runs with their skipper making his second half century (81 runs) in the series off 137 balls.
After experiencing an early order collapse with Lae import Alfred Amini (0) and Arua Uda (0) getting out cheaply, opener Wala Vala and all rounder Mahuru Dai added some respect with a humble 33 run partnership for the fall of the third wicket.
With surprise package Eava Lamond (0) not providing the goods this time around it was up to Dai and Ovia to steer their ship to safety as the pair put on another strong partnership before Dai fell victim to Loa Nou’s rapid bowling.
As always the Invincibles skipper guided his side and made sure they posted a defendable target.
In the second innings the two Frank’s, Doura (24) and Joseph (10) got Steamships Hardware to a flying start before bring bought down to earth by Dai (2-20) and Hobart (3-45).
Steamships Hardware captain Chris Amini congratulated his side for a putting up a strong challenge and said the series was pretty much anyone’s.
“Credit goes to Kila (Pala) for sticking out there and nearly getting us that win but an unfortunate run out denied us that win.
“Trukai Invincibles played really well and also stuck in there and made sure they got us all out,” Amini said.
Last Modified on 02/06/2008 10:23