Garamuts go down fighting to Ireland

THE Papua New Guinea Garamuts (121 all out) were competitive in their penultimate match of the Under-19 cricket World Cup despite losing to Ireland (122/7) by three wickets last Thursday.
The 13th place playoff semifinal at Manpower Oval, Rangiora, New Zealand, saw the Hebou-sponsored Garamuts churn out 121 runs with Igo Mahuru (45) and Heagi Toua (39), the two best scorers.
Irish paceman Jonathan Garth was in fine form taking 4-18 off eight overs.
Off-spinner and captain Harry Tector chimed in with a three-for (3-32) and seamer Joshua Little bagged himself a double (2-18) as Ireland bowled PNG out in the 38th over.
PNG’s batting had not held up all tournament and despite the resilience of Mahuru and Toua no other batsmen managed to reach double figures.
Set a sub-par 122 for victory the Irish could have been forgiven for thinking they had one foot through the door but PNG skipper James Tau had other ideas.
Tau delivered a captain’s knock with the ball taking 4-45 and ensured that the “fighting” Irish would leave up to that moniker in the run chase.
The Garamuts’ attack strived hard to defend what was their best score of the tournament.
Sema Kamea picked up two wickets after Tau’s initial breakthrough and at 38/4 in the 14th over Ireland were under pressure.
But Neil Rock (43) was the foundation for the Irish resistance, helped along by wicket-keeper Jamie Grassi (24), who had opened but seen four wickets fall.
PNG’s valiant efforts to break the partnership failed to return a positive result and the pair went on to edge their team to an inevitable victory.
With Grassi’s dismissal there was hope Papua New Guinea could do the unlikely but Graham Kennedy (17 not out) would have no part of it, calmly steering his side home with 49 balls remaining.
Summary: PNG 121 all out (Igo Mahuru 45, Heagi Toua 39; Jonathan Garth 4-18, Harry Tector 3-32, Joshua Little 2-18) Ireland 122/7 (Neil Rock 45, Jamie Grassi 24, Graham Kennedy 17 not out; James Tau 4-45, Semo Kamea 2-22, Daure Aiga 1-19). Ireland won by 3 wickets with 49 balls remaining.