The unbeaten Turangi men’s and women’s teams retain the top spot in the Rarotonga Cricket Club competition after superb wins in round five last weekend.

In the top of the table women’s clash on Saturday, defending champions Matavera hosted Turangi at the local MCG – Matavera Cricket Ground.

Turangi batted first and scored a decent 115 runs from their 20 overs with Annie Taufahema managing the top score of 21 runs. Toko Pana was the best bowler from Matavera taking five wickets from four overs, conceding only 13 runs.

In reply, Matavera struggled to chase the Turangi total and succumbed to their first loss in the competition. The run chase came right down to the wire, Turangi held on to win the match by seven runs.

In the other women’s match, Arorangi hosted TKV (Takuvaine) while Muri played Tupapa.

Arorangi batted first and scored 107 runs from 20 overs.

In reply, the hapless TKV were unable to put on a strong run chase, only managing 64 runs before losing all their wickets. A brilliant bowling display from Diana Tamaiva, who grabbed four wickets and conceded only 10 runs from four overs, helped Arorangi win the match by 43 runs. 

Muri defeated Tupapa in the other women’s clash.

In the men’s competition, defending champions Turangi and Arorangi maintained their unbeaten runs after wins over Matavera and TKV, respectively.

Against Turangi, Matavera batted first and scored 92 runs all out in the 19^th over. 

In reply, Turangi eased through their run chase reaching the Matavera total in the 11^th over. Mapu Maoate top scored with 41 runs to help Turangi comfortably win the match by six wickets.

Taking on minnows TKV, Arorangi batted first and scored 134 all out in 17 overs. Hori Miller continued his hot form this season top scoring with yet another half century – 55 runs and was well supported by Shane Munokoa with 27 runs. 

In reply, a determined TKV was heading towards their second win this season with their run chase, however Arorangi, with some superb fielding, defended their total, winning the match by 26 runs.

In the feature match of round five, Tupapa K-11 played Nikao.

Tupapa K-11 won the toss and decided to bat first. The decision did not go well when their top five batters collapsed under a superb bowling performance from the Nikao bowling attack. 

However a late resurgent from the middle order batsmen gave Tupapa K-11 Muia Boys a chance in the game. Tupapa K-11 scored a total of 168 runs from their 20 overs. 

In reply, a collective batting performance from the Nikao top four batsmen led by Melody Melota with 49 runs, set the platform for their win. Nikao won the match by six wickets after reaching the total with two overs to spare. 

Muri defeated Tupapa in the other men’s match.