Marlins outrun Saints

By TRAVERTZ MABONE
THE Pacific MMI Marlins stole the show in the weekend’s ‘Don’t drink and drive’ T20 Legends bash at the Amini Park with an exciting finish to overhaul the UMW Saints target of 159 in the final.
Saints won the toss and chosing to bat first with the intention of setting a competitive total on a goos turf wicket.
After a cautious start Saints batsmen openned up with agressive shots.
UMW’s opener Kiplin Doriga fell when he was run-out by Marlin’s John Haoda to be one for 13.
Next on the crease was PNG coach Andy Bichel (the sides designated legend) with Heni Siaka. 
However Siaka soon fell, caught by Vagi Oala.
Former England one-day captain Adam Hollioake arrived at the crease and to partnerBichel.
But the Englishman did not last long posting only 10 runs before a brilliant leg break from Marlins Legend Brad Hogg saw the ball ricochet from the bat and land in the hands of Steven Eno.
Hogg then claimed Bichel’s scalp with an lbw while the rest of the order tumbled and Greg Rowell and captain Jacob Mado finished off the overs to post a good total.
Mado came in with just under three overs left and smashed five sixes to reach 159 after 20 overs.
Marlins determined openers Eno and Tony Alu took to the crease but  Alu was dismissed for a duck in the first over.
Eno also fell after posting 17.
Oala was the next to go caught at first slip by Hollioake from a Bichel bouncer leaving his partner Chris Amini and Brad Hogg to steady the ship.
In the 13th over Hogg, who has won a World Cup, began his onslaught smashing boundaries with ease but was eventually run out on 70.
The Marlins new import Kali Ilamavu had much to prove and provided a good foil for  Amini as they chased the runs.
With just three overs left  and 12 runs to win the duo negotiated their way to the final over needing six to win.
With the overs first three deliveries proving difficult to get away Amini straight drove the fourth, a Mado half volley, for four leaving Marlins two for victory.
This form of cricket is all about holding your nerve as a bowler or batsman and performing under pressure.
Mado’s penultimate delivery a bouncer which Amini promptly hooked for  six to seal the match with a ball and several wickets to spare.