Part of the ICC's Global Development Program to progress the game in non-Test nations, and in particular the East Asia – Pacific Region Program, Papua New Guinea today secured a spot in the Final of the second-ever ICC Pacifica Cricket Championships with its second consecutive victory over Fiji in Apia, Samoa. National teams from the Cook Islands, New Caledonia, Samoa, Tonga & Vanuatu are also competing under One Day International rules & playing conditions.

Fiji won the toss and batted and was all out 116. In big trouble at 8/51, number 10 batsmen Josefa Beleicicia contributed a valuable 44. Papua New Guinea Captain, Rarua Dikana led the way with 4/14 from 8.5 overs. PNG finished 6/117 after 20.1 overs with James Maha top scoring with 47. Richard Leka made 44 and Waisake Tukana took 3/30. These two teams will meet again on Tuesday 4 June before the Finals day on Wednesday. Tomorrow and Monday are event rest days and Samoa's 40th anniversary of Independence celebrations of which all competing nations/teams will be a part.

Tonga, top of the table in Group B, had a convincing win over New Caledonia. Tonga scored 7/362 with Maunaloa Faivakimona registering the first century of the tournament, 106 retired. Sione Holi ably supported him with 83. Nicky Passil took 2/46 for New Caledonia. In reply, New Caledonia was all out 74 in 26.5 overs with a top score of 24 from Mickaele Tuakoifenua. Savelio Tamale was the destroyer with 5/14.

In an absolute thriller, the Cook Islands defeated Vanuatu by one wicket. Vanuatu batted first and was all out 127, Jeff Natapei making 34. The Cooks achieved the chase nine wickets down in 37.3 overs. With 4/12 with the ball and 67 not out with the bat, Captain Chris Brown, who has played first-class cricket in Auckland, New Zealand, was the difference.

SUMMARY SCORES FOR DAY 4

Fiji 116 (Josefa Beleicicia 44, Rarua Dikana 4/14, Rodney Maha 3/18) lost to Papua New Guinea 6/117 (James Maha 47, Richard Leka 44, Waisake Tukana 3/30)

Tonga 7/362 (Maunaloa Faivakamona 106, Sione Holi 83, Semisi Vehikite 52) defeated New Caledonia 74 (Savelio Tamale 5/14, Selusalema Vite 3/26)

Vanuatu 127 (Jeff Natapei 34, Chris Brown 4/12, Tunatu Kauvai 3/34) lost to Cook Islands 9/129 (Chris Brown 67no)

TABLE STANDINGS AFTER DAY 4
GROUP A	                            GROUP B	
1. Papua New Guinea     4 points    1. Tonga           6 points
2. Fiji                 0 points    2. Samoa           4 points	
                                    3. Cook Islands    4 points
                                    4. Vanuatu         2 points
                                    5. New Caledonia   0 points

For more information:
www.icc.cricket.org (Development & East Asia – Pacific / Tournament links), www.samoa.ws
Seb Kohlhsae, Samoa English Cricket Association President & Tournament Manager, Ph. +685 70 419 (mobile)
Matthew Kennedy, ICC East Asia - Pacific Development Manager, Ph. +685 76 849 (mobile)
Tim Anderson, ICC East Asia - Pacific Development Officer, Ph. +685 76 848 (mobile)
Championships Office (irregularly staffed), Ph. +685 30 641, Fax. +685 23 652 (Attention; Matthew Kennedy – Cricket Tournament), E-mail cricket@samoa.ws

© ICC 2002