Vaipae ready for double header challenge tonight

It’s a big ask for the Vaipae men’s cricket team this week as the boys from Hollywood have the first of the weekly double headers of Aitutaki’s The Computer Man men’s competition.

Back to back matches saw Vaipae head to Amuri last evening (Thursday) and tonight (Friday) they are off to Ureia to tackle Arenikau.

Having had the bye last week it is Vaipae’s first opportunity to get some runs on the board, but more importantly some points on the table.

Vaipae bowlers Pi David Junior, Teokotai Pukenga and national vice-captain Shane Munokoa will need to use plenty of variation and bowl good lines if they are to trouble the talented Arenikau batters this evening. Arenikau boast a strong batting and bowling line up including the talented Pita Tare and Brothers Paulo.

Tight bowling from Arenikau could cause headaches for the Vaipae batters however Vaipae aren’t short on fire power with Morgan Upu and July Pukenga having scored plenty of runs during the 2012 season. Upu and Pukenga will need to find some of last year’s form early if they are going to trouble the Arenikau bowlers.

Amuri took top of the table honours last week after beating Arenikau by 74 runs. Dawn Tare was the key player for Amuri scoring 83 runs with the bat and taking three wickets, while team mate Taipakoko Toko also bowled well to grab three wickets. A win from both matches this week will see Vaipae go table leaders however a loss to Amuri and Arenikau could see them at the bottom of the table.