Cassowaries win first tie, but fall to Black Bass

THE Curtain Bros Papua New Guinea T20 Smash Cricket is living up to expectations with another two thrilling games at the Amini Park on Wednesday.
In the morning session, the Ela Motors Cassowaries took on the ODG Mariners in a contest that went down to the last over with 13 runs required.
With Alei Nao and Allen Joesph at the crease, the Mariners fell four runs short, finishing with 8/150.
The Cassowaries batsmen all got starts with Sese Bau’s 47 off 22 balls and Tony Ura’s 40 off 26, leading the charge. JB Reva was the pick of the bowlers with 2/31.
The Mariners chase started poorly, losing Atai early. Assad Vala came to the crease and made a quick 30 with Riley Hekure being the mainstay of the innings with 57.
They then lost four quick wickets and it was left to Nao and Joseph who took it down to the last over but just failed to bring them home.
The player-of-the-match was Sese Bau who took 3/17 with the ball.
The afternoon game between the Cassowaries and the Hasting Deering Black Bass saw the Black Bass bat first, finishing on 7/150.
Maharu Dai top-scored (43), Kipling Doriga recording 34 and Bobby Diho 20 not-out. The wickets were shared with Anthony Vare again impressing with a tight spell of 1/19 off his four overs.
In reply, the Cassowaries never really got going with the bat in their second game of the day and finished a disappointing 123 all-out in the 19th over, despite a fighting 46 from Chad Soper and 32 by Nosaina Pokana.
The Black Bass bowlers did a wonderful job. Oala James recorded 3/22, and Damien Ravu, CJ Amini and Dai took two wickets each.