Raukele edge Coasters to win Biggie Botaia tourney

THE Port Moresby Cricket Association’s T20 tournament ended on Sunday, with Pure Water Raukele edging Black Swan Coasters by 15 runs to claim the Biggie Botaia Championship Trophy.
Earlier in the day, Keapara beat Badili Hardware Wanderers by 30 runs to claim third place.
Sunday was set up for a memorable final, with old foes Pure Water Raukele and Black Swan Coasters facing off.
Raukele elected to bat after winning the toss and despite losing an early wicket, raced to 49 in the power play.
Mahuta Kivung batted through the innings (42) with Raho Sam (33), and Gaudi Toka, Arina Lahari and Junius Ani contributing 20s to bring up a total of 172.
Kabua Vagi (2-22) and Edea Uda (2-32) were Coasters best bowlers.
Coasters couldn’t replicate the power play, losing star opener Vani Vagi Morea early and slumping to two for 28 in the power play.
A 105-run partnership between Chris Amini 53 and Jeremiah Kila 62 put Coasters within striking distance, however, a big hitting over could not be produced to narrow the score and eventually fell 15 runs short.
Better fielding and the ability to score big overs kept Raukele ahead in the encounter right through to the end. Ray Haoda Jr with 2-35 was the pick of the Raukele attack.