Vala leads Team Black to victory

BARRAMUNDIS captain Assad Vala put on a batting masterclass for Team Black on Saturday to open round three of the Isuzu Cup after scoring 123 runs to help his side beat team Yellow by 82 runs.
Batting first, Black got off to a steady start and were 2 for 40 when Vala strode to the crease after Yellow opening bowler Bobby Diho grabbed the wickets of both openers.
Vala took 10 balls to get off the mark but from there batted with authority, dominating the Black scoring falling as the ninth wicket for 123.
He hit 15 boundaries including three sixes and was supported by Lega Siaka (20), Simon Atai (23) and Boge Arua (20) who shared an important 88-run 9th wicket partnership with Vala.
The bowling honours were shared for Isuzu Yellow with Norman Vanu, Bobby Diho, Jason Kila and Riley Hekure all picking up two wickets each.
Black were eventually bowled out for a tournament high score of 269 in the 47th over as Vanua bowled Arua.
Yellow captain Kipling Doriga opened the innings and was showing great fight after seeing his opening partner and then Jason Kila dismissed cheaply.
Resistance came from Norman Vanua who took to the Black attack hitting five sixes and four fours as he found some touch with the bat finishing 60 not out. He had help from Junius Ani (20) in a 56-run 9th wicket partnership and then put on another 31 runs with Gari Dairi for the last wicket with the team eventually dismissed for 187.