Arorangi fights back to win

In the season first cricket double header at the weekend, the Arorangi women’s cricket team took to the field for the first time to play Muri.

Batting first Muri lost wickets consistently as Arorangi bowler Diana Tamaiva took three wickets to keep the Muri total to a modest 42.

Muri would have felt a comeback was on as they collected two early Arorangi wickets however a fight back by all rounder Tamaiva gave Arorangi the win in the sixth over.

In Matavera, Turangi got underway positively picking up an early wicket however 17-year-olds Bene Matapo (65 not out) and Amelia Moetaua (44 not out) put on a tremendous display of ability and concentration as the pair batted the entire innings taking their teams total to a commendable 140.

Turangis batters were not to be outdone as the Grace girls – Grace Rea (38) and Grace Ngarua (35) put on a great display of clean hitting to take the game to an intense ending however they fell nine pain-staking runs short.

The weekend’s results puts the Arorangi women’s team at the top of the Edgewater table on net run rate closely followed by ANZ Avatiu Nikao.

This will make for interesting watching as the two meet this weekend at the home of the Red Backs.

Meanwhile, action is heating up in the midweek Thursday women’s competition.

ANZ Chickadees took to the field to take on Toru Mateariki’s developing Takuvaine side in the western league of the Edgewater women’s competition last Thursday.

Batting first ANZ posted 87 runs but Takuvaine won the match in the ninth over taking Takuvaine to fourth on the table.

Top of the western Edgewater table Avatiu Nikao took on the law but the law did not win as the enthusiastic Cook Islands Police team posted 19 runs which was chased down by Avatiu within two overs.

Arorangi sister teams one and two played in high spirits with Arorangi One beating their club mates by five wickets.

In the Edgewater eastern league, unbeaten Air Raro took on Muri One at Muri.

Home advantage did not provide favour for Muri as Air Raro scored an imposing 92 runs, in a great fight back Muri came close falling only 13 runs short. Batting first Turangi Two amassed 131 runs and as such handed them a comfortable win over their Muri Two opponents who managed 92 runs all out. Turangi One shared in their club mates good fortune as they managed to beat the aspiring Davana One team by 36 runs. Matavera Hot III’s hosted Davana Two who batted first and posted a respectable 73 runs, Matavera’s strong batting line up had no problems achieving the total winning with the loss of only one wicket.

In tonight’s eastern Edgewater league second placed Air Raro take on third placed Turangi Two and first placed Matavera Hot III’s take on fourth placed Muri at Matavera. Muri host Davana 1 as both teams look to secure their first points and last placed Davana 2 take on fifth placed Turangi One in Turangi.

Takuvaine take on first placed Avatiu Nikao, Top Cops take on third ranked Tupapa One. ANZ Chickadees and Arorangi Two will be looking to secure their first points as they take on each other and second placed Arorangi One take on the new Tupapa Two side.

Due to a death in the village of Tupapa, teams in the Western league are advised to contact Alister Stevic on 20744 or 55740 for venue confirmation.