Mudmen handed double defeat in T20

BALL dominated the bat at the Curtain Brothers T20 Smash tournament yesterday, with the morning game played in windy conditions.
Ela Motors Cassowaries (104/2) chased down Trackpro Mudmen’s 103-all-out to win by eight wickets in the first game.
Mudmen captain Norman Vanua got them off to a good start with 27 runs off 21 balls but had little help apart from Hiri Hiri (26) and Jack Vare (17).
The bowling attack was speareheaded by player-of-the-match Chad Soper 5/14 (3.4) and fellow Barramundi Nosaina Pokana 3/17(4)
The low target allowed the Cassowaries to cruise in the chase, reaching 2/104 in the 17th over with Tony Ura hitting 44 runs off 30 balls, Sese Bau 37 (off 49 not-out) and Kevau Donald 19.
The win put the Cassowaries back into finals contention.
The afternoon game saw Mariners (160/5) the Mudmen total of 158/3 for a five-wicket win.
The Mudmen batted first with a few changes to their batting order.
This worked well to see Lega Siaka open with 49, Hiri Hiri 45 not-out and Vani Morea 37 all contributing to a healthy 3/158 at the end of their allotted 20 overs.
Mariners captain Assad Vala was the only multiple wicket-taker with 2/29 off his four overs.
The chase came down to the last over. With three balls to spare, the Mariners reached 5/160 to secure a five-wicket win.
A standout performance by Riley Hekure (72 not-out off 51 balls) guided them home, hitting eight boundaries in his composed innings.
Games start today at 9.30am with the Black Bass up against the Mudmen and the Mariners doing battle with the Cassowaries (1pm) at Amini Park.
Match summaries: Wed, July 31 – Game 1 – Mudmen 103 all-out (Norman Vanua 27 Hiri Hiri 26; Chad Soper 5-14, Nosaina Pokana 3-17) Cassowaries 104/2 (Tony Ura 44, Sese Bau 37 not out). Cassowaries won by eight wickets. – Game 2 – Mudmen 158/3 (lega Siaka 49, Hiri Hiri 45 not out, Vani Morea 37; Assad Vala 2-29) Mariners 160/5 (Riley Hekure 72 not out, John Boge Reva 35; Leke Morea 2-37). Mariners won by five wickets.