Hammers break Hearts in final

 THE Hebou Hammers won their second title of the Hebou Shield crucket tournament with a dominating performance in a massive 179-run win over BSP Hearts on Sunday. 

Match winning centuries from Vani Vagi Morea & Mahuru Dai setup their total of 4/304 as the Hammers closed down the Hearts in a one-sided affair.

Hebou skipper Jack Vare-Kevere won the toss and did not hesitate to bat first. 

Opening pair of Vani Vagi Morea and Mahuru Dai, who have been in good form all tournament, set about amassing a big total. 

Man-of-the-match Morea was relentless in his innings as he blasted his way to a 134-ball 144 to setup their match winning total of 4/304. 

His innings included 17 fours and six 6’s. 

At the other end, Dai was also damaging as he stroked his way to his 102 off 108 balls. 

Dai was given a life in his 40s and the chance proved to be a costly miss for the men in green. 

The pair were cautious in the first couple of overs, but soon got into their stride and started to let lose to put on a record opening stand of 258 to set up their total. 

Hearts bowlers were all put to the sword with only Gia Kapa (1/31), Jason Kila (1/56) and Tony Ura (1/57) picking up wickets.

With a mammoth task on hand, Ura opened the innings with Michael Rawali and kicked off their reply positively and raced to 33. 

A superb piece of fielding by Mea Nao broke the opening stand when he ran out Rawali with a direct hit for 12. 

Once the dangerous Ura was bowled for 24 by Raymond Haoda Jr, the momentum swung back to Hebou’s bowlers. 

None of the Hearts batsman were able to string together any solid partnerships as they were eventually dismissed for 125 in the 36th over to hand the Hammers their second title. 

Wickets were shared among the disciplined bowling attack with John Reva (2/2), Loa Sisia (2/9) and Mahuru Dai (2/10) picking up two wickets apiece. 

Willie Gavera, Haoda and Toua Tom picked up a wicket each.

Player of the tournament for the men was awarded to the Pacific MMI Marlins run machine, Assad Vala, who scored 661 runs at an average of 73.4 from 11 matches (50 over and T20). 

Vala also scored two superb centuries with a highest score of 115. 

In the women’s ranks, Dulux batsman Mebo Ipi took out the player of the tournament. 

She scored 358 runs in seven matches with an average of 89.5. 

Ipi hit a tournament high score of 75 in the women’s 35-over competition.