Cricket swings into Goroka

THE Dulux provincial Cricket Championships proved there is room for another sport in Eastern highlands with a crowd of more than 500 enjoying an exciting day of cricket at the National Sports Institute in Goroka last Saturday.
In a day where nine games were decided by less than 10 runs, Main Market overcame eight teams to win the men’s title.
In the women’s division, NSI were too strong for their three opponents, taking home the silverware.
The late withdrawal of  one men’s and one women’s team saw two makeshift teams formed 10 minutes before the first ball was bowled.
In the men’s an international team was formed, comprising three Australians, one Canadian, one Dutch, an 11-year old and two teenagers.
The women’s comprised of supporters from various teams.
Going into the final round of the men’s division, all teams still had a mathematical chance of making the grand final.
Main Market needed to win to ensure they went through in group A, while it was Lopi in group B with the same fate.
As with the previous games, Main Market cruised through their match against St Mary’s to win by 29 runs and book their place in the grand final.
The 29-run defeat was not enough to deny St Mary’s the opportunity to battle it out for third place.
In group B, Lopi fell three runs short against  Banana Block.