Lewas claim cup

By PATRICIA KEAMO
THE Papua New Guinea Lewas (88-5) claimed the Pacific Cup T20 title yesterday with a five-wicket win over hosts Aotearoa Maori (87) in the final at Auckland’s Lloyd Elsmore Park.
All-rounder Sibona Jimmy (5-10 and 25 runs) had an amazing final taking five wickets, helping affect three run-outs and then top-scoring for the PNG women to claim the player-of-the-match award.
The key to PNG’s victory was the restricting of the Kiwis to a sub-100 total thanks to a strong effort with ball and in the field from the Brenda Tau-captained side.
The Maori, who had beaten the PNG women on the opening day of the tournament by seven wickets, found themselves unable to build any effective partnerships as the Lewas attack led by off-spinner Jimmy (5-10) whose bag of five revealed her mastery of the conditions.
The Maori posted 87 with Skye Bowden (23) and Sam Curtis (21) the best batters – both fell to Jimmy.
Isabel Toua (1-21) and Vicky Buruka (1-18) each chipped in with a wicket but it was Jimmy whose five-for caused disarray among the Kiwi order and she was sharp in the field as well.
The Lewas, who had also knocked out arch-rivals Vanuatu on Friday, were primed for revenge against the home side and they did not disappoint.
Chasing 88 for victory, openers Brenda Tau (11) and Naoani Vare (7) saw off the new ball and the match was poised at 32/2 in the eighth over when skipper Tau departed.
Tanya Ruma (21 not out) and Jimmy (25) were at the crease for the third wicket partnership that yielded a match-winning 43 runs and despite Jimmy leaving in 14th over just 13 runs away from the win at 75-3, the result was a formality.
The experienced Ruma held her nerve despite seeing Pauke Siaka and Kaia Arua come and go without scoring and was able to steer the team to victory with Henao Thomas (6 not out) in the 19th over with nine balls to spare and five wickets in hand.
Ruma drove a boundary for the winning runs which was incidentally her first for the day in a well-paced chase which sparked jubilation from the Lewas bench.
Skipper Tau said the team came into the tournament aiming to reassert themselves as the best women’s team in the Pacific.
The signature wins came against the two best sides in the tournament – NZ Maori and Vanuatu.
“We came here wanting to defend our title which we did and it’s really good,” an elated Tau said.
“It was a great tournament, we had a great game (finals) against some really good players.
“I am proud of the team work as everyone was really committed in putting the work in. We came here telling ourselves to work together as a team both on and off the field and the results speak for itself.”
Tau said the was grateful for the opportunity given to play and train in Auckland as she extended the team’s gratitude to the Cricket PNG management, coaches as well their major sponsor, Kumul Petroleum Holdings Ltd.
“Without the support of everyone involved, past and present coaches, sponsors and the CPNG, management, we wouldn’t be able to come out here and defend this title,” she said.
The win saw the Lewas claim back-to-back titles of the tournament, after winning the inaugural edition in 2022.