EAP record first victory against SA

 THE East Asia Pacific team recorded its first victory of their Australian Country Cricket Championships campaign yesterday beating fellow bottom-of-the-table side South Australia on first innings points after their two-day match ended without a conclusive result. 

Posting 177 off 65 overs in the first innings on Monday at Capel Oval outside Perth the EAP XI,  led  by a Vani Vagi Morea half century (53), did not see out the days play being bowled out but with useful contributions from Vanuatu all-rounder Andrew Mansale (31), spinner Jason Kila (24) and an unbeaten 47 by wicketkeeper Trevor Langa ensured the Pafici Islanders would be competitive.

South Australia (165 all out) did themselves no favours on day two despite a good start falling 13 runs short of the EAP total and using up 84 overs in the process. A pair of 40 plus scores from opener Steve Willis (42) and No.6 Chris Knight (45) propped up SA’s batting card but time was their real undoing.

EAP’s bowlers did a great job containing the SA top order with Sakaria Lomani (2/9) the pick of the bowlers.

In match closed yesterday with EAP at 2/18 in their second innings.

This leaves SA Country the only team in the championships without a win.

EAP play their last match, a two-day match, against Australian Capital Territory at Hay Park tomorrow.