For the first time for some years, senior interclub district competition is under way having started on Sept 22nd in Labasa, Nadi and Lautoka.

The Labasa competition is made up of four teams - Duavata, Moce, New India and the Labasa Under 19 team. The competition will use the new artificial wickets at Labasa Sangam school and at Bulileka school, provided under the Fiji Cricket and ICC Development Programme.

The Duavata team will include Jone Salele, the Labasa Development officer, Joji Toka, the Labasa Cricket Association Vice President, together with National under 19 reps, Lepani Waqavesi and Ledua.

Moce has well known players MalakaiTuitaru, also President of the Association, Cama and Tuiono, while the Under 19 side has national reps, Manasa Leku, and Jone Bogiwai. The newly constituted New India side includes prominent local business men Nilesh Prasad and Jayesh.

ICC has offered prize money to the winning side of a four round series, and close competition is expected.

In Nadi and Lautoka, a joint interclub competition of eight teams will be contested, using the new wickets and in particular the new ground at Namaka school which is the only ground in Fiji dedicated to cricket.

The eight teams are Bombay Blues, Lautoka Teachers Training College, Rebels, Moce, Grenville, Nakavu., County and MCC .

The Nakavu team has current national Rep and opening batsman Iliesa Navatu, Kini Bakewa, medium fast bowler and national rep. to the Pacifica tournament, Inia Namua, under 19 rep and veteran rep Kitione Vuadreu. MCC have current rep and spin bowler Johnny Hussein, under 19 reps Vikal Prakash and Aman Prakash.

County will include Sanjeet Patel,Nadi rep, opening bat and wicketkeeper, Joy Mesuria ,Nadi rep and Rajesh Rattanji, top order batsman. Greville have George Fatafon, Nadi rep and opening bowler and Junior Kida national rep and medium fast bowler and Taito, Nadi rep.

In the Lautoka sides, Moce will include Inoke Kacilala, opening bowler and Lautoka rep, Jone Digitaki, National trialist and opening bowler and Maciu, ex Suva rep opening bowler and mid order batsman. Bombay Blues has Suresh Patel, national rep. and opening bowler, and Ragen Patel, a Lautoka rep. and medium pace bowler Rebels include Rohit Prasad, Lautoka rep and mid order bat and Richard Narayan, top order bat and medium pace bowler. LTC (Lautoka Teachers Training Collegewill play Inoke ex under 20 rep and opening bat, and the local Development Officer, Richard Wotta, former National rep, top order batsman and medium pace bowler.

The re-emergence of these teams and players in all three centres is most encouraging, and a great start to the cricket season in Fiji.

DEWAR SHIELD CHALLENGE

For the first time for 10 years a challenge has been made for the Dewar Shield, held by the remote island team of Tubou in Lakeba, The challenging team is from the capital, Suva.

The magnificent Dewar Shield, made of silver relief on a metre and a half high shield, was presented to Fiji Cricket in 1914 by the whisky company, and has been the symbol of district cricket supremacy ever since.

Since 1962 when Tubou won the shield, they have resisted all challenges, and do not look set to relinquish it easily this time. Their side will include past National captain Lesi Sorovakatini, with his three brothers Tavo, Jo and Suliasi, Joji Bulabalavu - all National representatives, and Taniela Naulivou, also a past national captain.

The Suva side is also stacked with national representatives including current National captain and top order batsman Seci Tuiwai, opening bowler Atu Tawatatau, medium pace bowler Jone Seuvou, and mid order batsman Iniasi Cakacaka.

The Tubou side is managed by cricket legend Ratu Eroni Loganimoce, while Suva is managed by Jerry Baba, ex Suva rep cricketer and former heavy-weight boxing champion.

The game will take place on the recently completed artificial wicket in Tubou between October 8th and 10th

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