The Moce team and officials at Albert Park after their win today.
2012 Crompton Cup champions, Moce, and defending 2013 champions, the Suva Warriors, have won their way through to the final of the 2014 LICI Easter Tournament at Albert Park today.
On ground one it was a bitter battle between the home sides; the Warriors and the Suva Crusaders. Winning the toss, the Crusaders batted first, but collapsed to 6-17 in the 14th over. However, an innings saving knock of 36 from Viliame Mana, and 30 from Akapusi Ledua, meant that the game could still have been the Crusaders’ for the taking, and eventually they were bowled out for 104 runs in 33.2 overs.
Best with the ball for the Warriors were Mesui Talebula (4-19 off ten overs), Kitione Tavo (2-12 off 6.2 overs), and Talwinder Singh (1-11 off three overs).
Despite their strong performance with the bat in their final pool match of the tournament, the Warriors’ top-order had similar luck to that of the Crusaders’, also dropping to an early low of 5-29. An unbeaten 22 from Tupou Colati as well as a dropped catch on the final ball of the game provided for an exciting finish, and also a one-wicket win to the Warriors, seeing them scrape through to Monday’s final.
Despite their loss, Mana was a good all-round performer for the Crusaders, also performing with the ball, finishing with figures of 2-29 off ten overs. Iniasi Cakacaka also chipped in for the Crusaders, with incredible figures of 2-1 off 2.2 overs.
It’s was another near-upset over on ground two, as crowd-favourites Moce made it through to the Crompton Cup final once more, after defeating guest team from Brisbane, Australia, the Western Suburbs District Cricket Club (WSDCC).
Moce won the toss and surprisingly chose to bowl. In an opposite scenario to the batting on ground one, WSDCC have gone from strength-to-strength with their performance during the week, and batted out their full 50 overs for the day, finishing with an impressive total of 8-224. Young opener Josh Lownds top-scored for the visitors with 73, whilst Kolinio Tawalokuci (3-40 off seven overs) was the best for Moce with the ball.
When the second innings kicked off the chase was on for Moce, with it being a precarious balance between how many runs they had to score and how many wickets they had in hand. Sekope Biau (40), Akapusi Tukai (39), and opener Makutu Seru (37) all had solid knocks, and besides Joel Mitchell’s 3-58 off ten overs with the ball, Moce managed to reach 8-230 in 45.1. overs, setting up a spectacular final game on Monday to conclude the 2014 LICI Easter Tournament.
The final for the 2014 LICI Easter Tournament will be held on Monday, commencing at 9am:
Monday 21st April (Easter Monday)
Grand final: Moce v Suva Warriors
PRESS RELEASE
Full coverage of the final will be broadcast live on FBC radio and television.