Unitech juniors chase down Raukele target

 By LARRY ANDREW

THREE wides and a run in the 14th over of the Lae Cricket association Under-15 grand final gave Unitech the edge over Raukele for the title on Sunday.

In the U19 grand final, Hoods beat Unitech, while the semi-final of the men’s B grade between Hoods and Friends was called off because of poor light with eight overs remaining.

The fate of the Hoods-Friends game will be decided in today’s mee­ting.

On Saturday, the men’s A grade grand final was deferred, while the women’s final was called off because of heavy rain.

Both  matches will be played this weekend with the U16 girls and B grade finals.

The U15s game was in a class of its own with Raukele opting to bat first.

Opening batsman Nelson Dokola was bowled out by Patia Roa in the first over and with that momentum, the Unitech bowlers kept the pressure on Raukele.

Roa, in tandem with Wesley Au, had Raukele’s batsmen playing for survival as they bowled accurately and with intent. 

The tide changed when Raukele’s Dickson Selans hit 29 runs to take his team to 66/5 by the 15th and final over.

In Unitech’s innings, the Raukele fielding was put to the test with balls that could have been easily caught beiung dropped.

That gave Unitech the opportunity to compile a decent chase.

The game could have gone to Rau­kele but with patience and chanting from the university home crowd the Techies stood their ground to win the match by four wickets after reaching the target of 67 in 14.4 overs.