LBC-HB Raukele and Pagini Hoods created history in what is believed to be the first tie in Lae Cricket.
The match went down to the wire and provided excitement and drama to cricket followers.
Hoods batted first and were kept under check by some tight bowling by skipper Keimelo Vuivagi and Laka Ezekiel. Hoods skipper Rodney Maha did not last long when he mistimed a Vuivagi delivery to be caught by Veari Sirina at long on.
While Hoods maintained a steady run rate of 4.6 per over, wickets fell consistently and at the 20th over they were 5 for 101.
Puka Pouna batted well for his 32 runs whilst veteran William Maha 23, Richard Leka 20 and young Tau Sere 18 made useful contributions to Hoods total of 158 for 10.
Vuivagi bagged 5-28 runs and was well assisted by spinner Allan Kila (3-36), Ravu Vuivagi (1-25) and Ezekiel (1-28).
Raukele’s innings started off on the wrong foot when Billy Maha cleaned bowled Aaron for two in his first over.
This resulted in Raukele going on the defensive mode and from then on runs were dried up as both Maha and Opi Ravu applied pressure on the batsman. Raukele lost two more wickets of Ravu Vuivagi (14), and Kila Wari (17), before skipper Keimelo Vuivagi and Vivian Kila took charge.
Both used their experience to steady the innings and helped sway the momentum Raukele way. Kila was in great form and batted beautifully for the top score of the match with 41.
Keimelo stayed down and guided the innings gracefully, however when he was outrun by Walo Au for 27, Hoods regrouped to apply pressure. With seven overs remaining and eight runs required and with three wickets in hand it was foregone conclusion.
However when Ravu and Maha were reintroduced, this created some anxious moments for the batsmen as they started to feel the pressure and Raukele needed two runs in the last over which young Maha bowled a wide in the fourth delivery enabling Raukele to tie the match.
They needed one run to win in the last two balls and Maha’s next delivery was right on target uprooting Neville Wari’s middle stump to tie the match.
Wickets were shared between Ravu (2-15), Billy Maha (1-22) and Walo Au (1-36).
The tie enabled Pagini Hoods to claim the minor premiership flags in the “B” grade and Under 15 division respectively.