PNG stars shine in Melbourne

Normal, Sports

PNG had five players playing in four separate grand finals in Melbourne during the weekend.
The players were part of the seven, who were based in Melbourne and also part of the 14, who have taken part in the Brian Bell Future Stars scholarship programme in 2009-10.
This is an important achievement for the Brian Bell Scholarship programme and is a critical step in our players cricket development.
Grand finals are few and far in between many players careers and to win a premiership is an even bigger achievement.
Unfortunately only two PNG boys tasted premiership success but the experience of playing under pressure with the intensity of a grand final will have closely replicated some international conditions.
Tony Ura (left) and Steven Eno have proven to be match winners for Coles Sharks in one of Melbourne’s Cricket Associations, the Mercantils Association in Sunday turf cricket as the Sharks cruised to 2-0 series win in the grand final.
The series was the best of three (45 overs per side matches).
Coles smashed the opposition in the semi- finals, the previous weekend, to make 3-235 dec. and bowled the opposition out for 94 with Ura and Eno the big contributors.
Ura made 112 not out took 1-4 and a direct hit runout. Eno and Ura  shared a 100-run unbeaten stand with Steven making 52 not out.
In game one of the grand final on Saturday – Coles made 7-277 off 45 and bowled the opposition out for 143.
Ura top-scored with 87 and he and Eno put on 71 runs with Eno making 31 and taking a wicket.
In game two, Coles made 6-227 and bowled the opposition out for 209.
Ura again top-scored with 72 and he and Eno shared a 34-run stand with Eno making 17.
Eno became a bowler in game two and took 3-53 with Ura taking one wicket.
Ura and Eno also played for Broadmeadows in Victorian sub-district cricket  and have been playing midweek cricket for Sacred Heart every Wednesday.
Overall, the two boys will return to PNG with over 50 days of turf cricket experience under their belts as a result of their scholarship.