Baruni Primary chase after first
cricket title this weekend
BARUNI Primary School is all geared
up to win their first cricket title when they meet Hagara in the
Under 15 Boy’s Kriket Bilong Sumatin Junior finals this weekend
at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium.
The Koitabu boys swept aside much fancied schools Hagara and St.
Michaels from tradition cricket strongholds, Hanuabada and
Elevala to claim the minor premiership title. A win this weekend
will end a fairytale start for the school as they only took up
the sport early this year.
Mentor and former Port Moresby Mirigini team captain Harry
Stevens said that interest and commitment in the sport amongst
these kids was really high and their appearance in the grand
final this weekend is testimony to that.
Stevens had high praise for rookie coaches Koae Sale and Tony
Homoka when contacted about the teams success. They were as the
real heroes behind Baruni’s rise to the top of the Under 15
competition table as they have been there from day one said
Stevens.
The Headmaster of the School Mr Mark Henogwai must also be
congratulated for taking a keen interest in cricket as it was
his personal involvement that the village boys took heart out
of, according to PNG Cricket Development Officer and senior
National player John Ovia.
In the games played over the weekend, Hagara stopped St.
Michaels in a thrilling preliminary final in the Under 15
division to earn the right meet Baruni.
Winning the toss and batting first, St Michaels put on a
defendable total of 98 for the loss of 6 wickets in their
mandatory 20 overs, with Vagi Sese 32 and Simi Boga 25 starring
for them. The Saints, appeared to be headed for glory when they
had Hagara reeling at 8 for 87 requiring another 11 runs to win
from 5 balls, when Boe Heni joined Gabe Peter at the crease.
Heni sent the second ball of the last over to the boundary and
then took a single from the third delivery which left big hitter
Gabe Peter to face the last two balls. With supporters from both
camps on their toes Peter sent the fifth ball and second last
ball sailing over the St. Michaels camp to settle the issue.
Earlier openers John Kamea and Ranu Joe made 11 a piece, and Boe
Doura 16 did the damage for Hagara. Vincent Igo 2 for 14 was the
pick of St. Michaels bowlers.
In the Under 13 Grand Final will start at 9:00 am on Saturday,
followed by the Under 15’s final.
