Last week the Magic Mele Bulls bravely fought to a win in the BDO Club Championship Grand Final at Independence Park in Port Vila. This gave the lads from Mele Village a clean sweep of tournament on the Vanuatu Cricket Calendar in 2001. They have picked up the limited overs seven a side tournament, ten over per team Independence Cup, the Roger Strickland trophy for the Premiership and now the BDO Championship Shield. As a credit to perseverance and courage of the team they were able to perform magnificently throughout the season to fill the cabinet with silverware.

The BDO Club Championship Grand Final played between the Magic Mele Bulls and Malapoa College was eagerly anticipated by the cricketing public in Vanuatu. The Mele team had performed very well throughout the season with a fairly even contribution from many players. However, a number of local pundits felt that one or two stars in the Malapoa College team may just carry them over the line in this Grand Final. Dr. Paul Brooks had scored in excess of 350 runs for only 1 dismissal in his last four outings, the Mele boys had to get him early if they did not want to chase a huge score. Arguably the most stylish batsman in Vanuatu, Richard Tatwin, was always going to be a danger despite the fact that he had not played for over a month. Patrick Haines was known to be fired up to hurl his thunderbolts down at the Mele batsmen. And Captain George Regenvanu who hit 49 of the last 5 overs in the semi final against Mele was going to be a very dangerous opponent. On the other hand the Mele boys performed with what was going to be a team effort centered around the steadying influence of Captain Pierre Chillia and Iain Jones.

Malapoa College won the toss on an overcast day and elected to bat first. This was, I understand, also the course that Pierre would have selected if he was successful in calling. The game commenced with Paul Brooks playing a magnificent cover drive for four off the first ball. This did not augur well for the Mele Bulls. However, in the middle of the second over dual Vanuatu International (Pacifica Cup in Cricket and World Cup elimination rounds in Soccer) Edy Mansale delivered a delightful outswinger caught the edge of Paul Brooks' bat and the ball went swiftly to the hands of the keeper. This brought much joy and delight to the Mele Boys and a great deal of disappointment to Dr. Brooks and his team mates in the Club house. There was more than one player in a team and the Malapoa batsman went about their business with Tatwin scoring and playing quite well before he was caught towards the boundaries from one of his trademark lefthanded hooks for 14 runs.

The Malapoa Captain George Regenvanu carried on from the fine innings in the semi final and once again produced some very good cricket. A fine Captain's knock. George showed good shot selection, pushing, for a single, driving, a four hitting a big 6 over long on. However, George was out for 33. He fell to the slow left arm bowling of Rave Chillia who picked up 3 wickets in his first over, which proved to be a significant turning point of the match. The Malapoa lads did not recover from this break through and were dismissed for the lowly score of 87 runs.

It had been anticipated that the outset of the match that a score of 150 set as a target for the second team would have been competitive. The Mele opening duo Iain Johns and Edy Mansale got the team off to a very steady start knowing that there was no particular pressure for quick runs to be scored. Despite that the runs did come at a rate in excess of 4 an over primarily due to Iain Johns being quite severe on any loose bowling. Patrick Haines, another dual international for Vanuatu (cricket and rugby union), was quite fiery in his early overs. He had no luck, his fieldsmen let him down by spilling catches. This seemed to frustrate young Pat and drive him off his line.

Then, Vila's unpredictable weather made an intrusion into the game. In hindsight this probably cost Malapoa College any chance that they may have had of pulling off a victory. The rain came down in a steady stream. But, given that this is not an unusual occurrence in this tropical paradise we live in, play continued. The out field became slippery the ball was like a cake of soap. The Malapoa brains trust shook their heads in disbelief. The weather forecast had been fine. Alas, they got it wrong again.

To give Malapoa College the credit that is due to them they persisted throughout the inclement weather against a determined opening pair. Johns picking up the runs, Edy Mansale providing an uncharacteristic support role for an opening partnership of 50 runs. The Mele Boys were only chasing 88 for victory. They were very confident at that stage. However, the team went from none to 50, to 5 to 65. Then the knees started to rattle. The legs got a bit shaky.

There was concern in the Mele Bulls Camp. All credit must be given to the knock of Captain Pierre Chillia who came to the pitch when the game was delicately poised. Pierre clipped the first ball he faced confidently off his toes to the boundary behind square leg. He showed great composure and led his team magnificently. This was a contrast to the impetuous way that he had approached his innings in this semi final where he charged the bow on a regular basis to know great benefit. Pierre lost a couple of more partners along the way but he guided his team to a great victory over Malapoa College who had no luck during the course of this fantastic game.

In the great sporting tradition of this country, after the presentation the Magic Mele Bulls and their numerous supporters, including many of the ladies of the village in their very colourful Mother Hubbard dresses, all piled into the back of 3 or 4 pick up trucks and paraded around the town holding the BDO Shield high in celebration of their great victory. Well done Bulls… Let's see if you can repeat it again next year.

Meanwhile, the Vanuatu Cricket Association, in conjunction with the ICC and NSWCA, last week hosted a visit by Mr. John Boulous who is a regional cricket development officer from Sydney. This initiative is the first of the activities that will come from the VCA's partnership with NSWCA for development matters.

During his visit John Boulous worked closely with the VCA Development Office, Pierre Chillia. They visited a number of primary and secondary schools to conduct clinics. Pierre has been doing this since May this year and John's advice on structure and approach will help Pierre improve his delivery to the schools. John also assisted with the first week of the Westpac Kanga Cricket League and was very impressed with the fact that the VCA was able to have over 200 kids playing organised cricket. Mark Stafford, the VCA President, did note that if there were more cricket facilities available then the VCA could do even more with the kids and junior cricket. John also conducted a couple of sessions with the Vanuatu National Cricket Squad.

The culmination of John Boulous' visit was the conduct of a Level 1 Coaching Course for our local cricketers who want to be able to put back more into junior cricket development. The course is aimed "at the coach of junior cricketers looking for some more in-depth knowledge of the game and how to teach it to young players". The course was successfully completed by the thirteen participants. They are Pierre Chillia; Patrick Haines; John Solomon; Richard Tatwin; Jeff Natapei; Tari Seru; Wailu Bangalulu; Ken Natapei; Reynolds Natapei; Doug Hutchison; Craig Marcombe; Jilili Futuna; and, Namkani Futuna. The VCA hopes that all of these men will now be able to work with our young players to lift their skill and appreciation levels.

The VCA was very pleased with the outcomes and would welcome a return visit by John Boulous.

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