NCD in gold medal playoff

TEAM NCD qualified for the finalin the PNG Games Twenty20 cricket competition after solid if not spectacular 12-run victory over Morobe yesterday in the first semi-final.
The other semi-final between Central (0-16) and West New Britain (70) was abandoned when rain stopped play two overs into Central’s run chase.
In the first semi-final, NCD’s Loa Sisia (15) and wicketkeeper Jack Vare (11) were the only batsmen to hit double figures in the team total but a 101 score was still a tough proposition for the Morobeans.
In Morobe’s reply captain Richard Leka hit the highest score of the match with a gutsy 31 while Nigel Topai also added 12 but that was still not enough to pull in the target.
They were eventually bowled out for 89 in the 20th over.  Morobe had no answer to NCD’s three-pronged attack of Au Mea (4-22), Laws Rabura (4-17) and Loa Sisia (2-15) who between them accounted for all of Morobe’s wickets.
Three matches will be played today to decide the medal placings.
Team NCD will play the winners of the continuing match between WNB and Central on Amini Park for the gold while the loser of that match faces Morobe on Colts oval for the bronze medal playoff.