Mudmen beat Cassowaries to secure spot in T20 Smash final

MUDMEN have secured their finals berth after an eight-wicket win over defending champions Cassowaries in the last round fixture of the Isuzu Twenty-20 (T20) Smash yesterday at Amini Park.
An impressive fielding inning led by skipper Tanya Ruma saw Mudmen taking out all wickets at the 15th over mark, restricting Cassowaries run total to 66.
With a low target to chase, Mudmen’s opening batter Melanie Ani set the pace with her 31 runs off 33 deliveries before eventual player of the match Rhiann O’Donnell finished the game off (26 off 31) just after the 14th over.
An elated Ruma said although she was pleased with her side wining the match and qualifying for this weekend’s finals, Mudmen still had work to do in preparation for their clash against the Cassowaries.
“We have to continue working on our batting and fielding as there is still room for improvement,” she said.
“We will go back and work hard to come stronger for the finals,” she said ahead of this weekend’s final.
In their fielding inning, the captain took out 3/7 in her three over spell with contributions from O’Donnell (2/16), Geua Tom (2/5), Isabel Toua (1/7) and Joanne Notau (1/18). O’Donnell said the competition was shaping up to an exciting finish and she was keen to follow the progress of the PNG Lewas and Siales, emphasising on the level of talent in PNG.
“We’re now staying focused on the finals. Today was a great game,” she said.
“We started of better that how we did yesterday and just building off from the momentum from yesterday’s fielding.”
In the other matches yesterday morning, Mariners edged Black Bass by a run to win the game.
Both sides will face off in the third place playoff on Saturday morning before Cassowaries and Mudmen go head to head in the finals.