Mudmen take top spot

By PATRICIA KEAMO
ANOTHER superb performance from Mudmen pair Tanya Ruma and Rhiann O’Donnell yesterday has seen the side record their second win to deny the Cassowaries from extending their lead in the Isuzu Twenty-20 (T20) Smash competition.
A combined run count of 62 from the pair added to their total of 98/7 in their innings with Isabel Toua’s outstanding bowling effort of 3/4 in four overs saw Mudmen win by 30 runs to sit on top of the table based on net run rate.
Meanwhile, in the other match, Mariners recorded their first win thanks to a five-wicket haul by Vicky Ara’a that earned her the player of the match award.
Ruma and O’Donnell who put up a massive 106-run partnership in their opening match on Saturday starred againe with the captain scoring 39 runs off 50 balls while O’Donnell added 23 off 33 to help the Mudmen reach 98/7 after 20 overs.
A par bowling performance in their fielding inning restricted Cassowaries to 68/9 as they were bowled out. An impressive spell by eventual player of the match Isabel Toua (3/4) with contributions from Geua Tom (2/5), Joanne Notau (2/14), a wicket each from O’Donnell and Dika Lohia earned them a 30-run win.
Meanwhile, Mariners and Lewas skipper Brenda Tau commended her side for a great team effort that saw their first win 27 runs against Black Bass.
With a target of 85/8 set in their inning, Tau’s advice to her side was to take out wickets in their fielding inning against Black Bass to get the win.
“Taking wickets was our way to win given the target we set so my advice to them was to be consistent and we had an amazing performance from the girls,” Tau told The National.
A tight bowling inning saw the Mariners take out nine wickets in 10 overs before ending the game just after the 11th over.
Ara’s 5/16 in four overs with contributions from Gabe Thomas (2/9) and Buruka Vicky (2/23) was enough to execute the skippers’ plan. When asked of her thoughts on Ara’s performance, Tau commended her bowler saying she was brilliant.
“We needed her to step in and knowing her she’s a consistent bowler and with situations like this I knew I could use her,” said Tau.
“She came in at the right time, right moment that I needed her and she did an amazing job for the team.”