Hearts notch first Gabba win

 THE ANZ Avalanches notched up back-to-back cricket wins while the BSP Heart secured their first victory on the second day of the Gabba Champions Shield on Sunday at Amini Park and Colts Grounds.  

After winning the toss at Colts Ground 1, the Avalanches batted first on a sunny day in Port Moresby. 

Their decision seemed to backfire, with the Avalanches collapsing to 38/3 in eight overs.  Sakavai Gebai (27), Norman Vanua, pictured, (26) and Greg Baeau (24) then steadied the innings, making valuable contributions in the middle order to help guide the Avalanches out of trouble. 

Unfortunately a brilliant spell of spin bowling by Paradise Foods Pistons’ captain, Mahuru Dai (5-24) turned the match again, with the Avalanches being bowled out for 155 inside 36 overs. Dai picked up the competition’s first five-wicket haul.  

The Pistons failed to fire up in the run chase surrendering for a meek 134 off 31 overs.

Archie Vala was the only Piston to really trouble the scorers, while Greg Baeau (4-30) and Simon Wedega’s (2-30) killed the Avalanches’ momentum.

Meanwhile on Amini Park, the Heart notched up their first win of the tournament with a victory over the Digicel Dragons in a low-scoring affair. 

Batting first, the Dragons were bowled out for a very disappointing 80 with William Aiga (25) and Chris Amini (20) the only batsmen to make any real contribution with the blade, while wickets were shared among the PNG Barramundis, Loa Noa (3-13), John Boge Reva (2-13), Sese Bau (2-14) and Kabua Vagi Morea (2-33) for the Heart. In reply, Assad Vala guided the Heart to a four-wicket win with a sensible 43. Junius Ani (4-32) and Aiga (2-21) took all the wickets for the Dragons.

 In the women’s division, the Remington Rhinos notched up their first win of the tournament after beating the Swire Shipping Sharks by six wickets in a T20 affair at Colts Ground #2.           

The Gabba Champions Shield continues tomorrow with all four men’s teams playing T20 matches at Amini Park. The Pistons take on the Heart in the morning match, while the Dragons and the Avalanches face off in the afternoon.