Two return to the fold

FORMER Port Moresby cricket clubs Hoods and Mariners are set to make a return after being off the cricket landscape in recent years.
Hoods, a past competition winners and glamour club, fell on tough times in the early 2000s and folded but through the efforts led by staunch club man Richard Leka and others the club, which have roots in the Hood Lagoon area of the Rigo coast, are set to make a comeback in the 2010-11 season.
Meanwhile, the Hanuabada-based Mariners, after two-year absence will also turn out in the Port Moresby cricket competition A grade alongside Hoods.
Both clubs will need to win their division in order to have a chance at qualifying for the premier grade and then defeat the premier grade wooden spooners in a three-match series (one-dayers) before earning the right to enter the top grade of POM cricket.
Cricket PNG CEO Bill Leane said he was pleased that the two clubs had organised themselves and their involvement would only add to the standard of cricket in the nation’s capital.
“Hoods and Mariners are two great clubs and will be welcomed additions to Port Moresby cricket.
“They’ll be starting in A grade but can push for a spot in the premiers if they win their division and then defeat the last placed premier grade team in a three-match series,” Leane said.
POM cricket will also have for the first time an under 13 competition to complement the other grades (premier, A, B, women, U19 and U16) in an expanded competition.
Leane said the competition, which begins tomorrow with a Twenty20 challenge, would have clubs competing in A, B and women’s grades with the finals on Sunday.
Leane also announced the addition of two further grades to the mix.
“We’ll also be running a special T20 competition for veterans 35 years and over and a corporate competition for companies as well.
“The competitions will be run on alternating weekends and should start next month,” an excited Leane told The National.