POMCA reserve grand final boils down to first ever super over

The ITI Port Moresby Cricket Association proudly sponsored by the International Training Institute [ITI] witnessed its first-ever Super Over showdown at the home of cricket in PNG, Amini Park over the weekend.

In a low scoring reserve grand final between Hoods Cricket Club against Chilli Sounds Roka Raukele Cricket Club, supporters at Amini park perceived a thrilling grand final which saw the match tie down to a super over.

Raukele were restricted to just 94 runs from exceptional bowling from Hoods.

Valikali Naime of Raukele was the pick of the batsmen, scoring a handy 29 runs off 31 balls while Hoods pace bowler Anthony Manega collected 3 wickets off his allotted 4 overs, only giving away 11 runs.

Hoods’ opening duo Arthur Manega and Daniel Kila were on a roll, with a steady partnership which silenced the Raukele supporters.

It was not until after 6 overs, veteran Maru Hobart broke the partnership, trapping Manega with an LBW.
The runs seemed to slow down as the wickets kept tumbling with a disciplined bowling attack from Raukele.

Hoods required only 4 runs in the last over to seal the trophy but lost their X-factor Mailia Maha in the final over after he attempted to play the pull shot but instead top-edged the ball to Ronnie Paul at square-leg.

Hoods managed to level the scores at the end of the over and sent the game into its first ever super over.
Hoods opened the batting at the super over and sent in their destructive batsman Ratu Maha accompanied by Daniel Kila.

After Maha scored 3 runs in the first 2 balls, Kila fell victim to Hobart after he was stumped behind the wicket, thanks to the quick hands of Mahuta ‘Misty’ Kivung.

The fall of Kila’s wicket saw Elipema Kini enter the crease but could not go on to score runs as he was run out by skipper Kila Pala. This saw Hoods score 3 runs in their super over, giving Raukele only 4 runs to win the game.

It was not until the third delivery by Hoods opening bowler Gimana Hauere, Raukele opener Kivung played a late cut shot down to the third-man position, scoring 4 runs off the boundary after the ball was misfielded.

Raukele came out on top, sealing the grand final with veteran Hobart taking out the Player of the Match by scoring 19 runs, taking 2 wickets and 1 catch.

Super Over Results: Hoods: 3/2 (0.4), Raukele: 4/0 (0.3)