United win second women’s cricket title

 UNITED won back-to-back premierships after beating long-time rivals Pacific MMI Coasters by 12 runs in the Port Moresby women’s cricket grand final on Saturday.

Batting first, United set a target of 157 runs for the loss of five wickets.

In reply, the Coasters had every opportunity to do the job but tight bowling and fielding by the latter kept them at bay at 8/145 after the 30 overs. 

Match winner and current Papua New Guinea Lewa’s captain Ura Rigana was the toast of the day with her patient 55 runs to give the Hanuabada women a respectable total.

Coming on at first-drop, Rigana set the pace and maintained her composure to frustrate the Coasters bowling attack. 

She was backed up by fellow Lewas teammate Lohia Daure (30), Tanya Ruma (20) and exciting teenager Helen Buruka, the only other to reach double figures.

United coach Seura Loa said it was tough defending that total as Coasters had a good number of Lewas representative players including former skipper Kune Amini and Koita Atai.  

“Ura (Rigana) again with Tanya (Ruma), teenager Pipi Siaka and Sibona Jimmy however did the job well with the ball to keep Coasters behind the eight-ball,” Loa added.

Loa said the win gave him nine career premierships for United. 

“On behalf of the club I give special thanks to our sponsors AAS Limited for backing us this season,” he said.

Coasters, from Hood Lagoon, in the Rigo district of Central, despite having star Lewas player Norma Ovasuru, were not able to open up against the disciplined United bowling attack.

In a good season for United, they picked up the minor premiership title as well.