Battle for glory

As Muri cricketers celebrate last week’s crowning as The Computer Man top four winner, it’s over to the bottom six competitors to battle it out tomorrow for bottom six glory.

Three teams are restless at the top of the table. Titikaveka Titans, Tupapa 1 and Takuvaine are all on 12 points and ANZ Avatiu-Nikao are not too far off the pace with 8 points and there is no clear winner heading into the last round.

“The level of competitiveness this season is undeniably better than last year and attributed to passionate clubs desperate to do their villages proud and collect some much valued silverware for the trophy cabinet,” commented CICA general manager Alister Stevic.

Determining the final round winner could prove challenging if more than two teams are to finish on equal points.

“If three teams finish on equal points, and given there are no finals, a winner is determined by seeing who beat who in their previous encounters. Failing a result from that we then calculate each team’s season net run rate with the team with the highest total declared the winner,” explains Stevic.

“So you can guarantee captains from across Rarotonga will be taking their calculators with them.”

No matter where the Titikaveka Titans may finish this year, they must be congratulated on their significant rise in the cricketing world.

Under the captaincy of Glen Miller and senior player Sabu Matapo, the club has been resurrected. Non active for the past five years, they have transformed into a competitive side blended with youth and experience.

Paes Kirikava’s Tavana All Stars lead by Telecom High Performance player Matt Beasley is another team to have impressed this season.

The club which had been defunct for well over two decades now boasts a strong membership of young players and with players like Beasley and Arthur Emile and Tereinga Maoate lending their experience, the All Stars will continue to grow.

ANZ Avatiu-Nikao have grown in strength and despite the potential of losing three key players next season, captain Shane Thompson has been growing the talent pool to fill the breach.

To date The Computer Man top batter for the season is Vane Tangimetua, clear ahead with 519 runs and with the next best run scorer from the bottom six (Glen miller, 230 runs) it would appear Tangimetua will hold on to this year’s batting honours.

Henry Geary has cemented himself as the leading wicket taker of the season earning 46 scalps. The next best overall wicket taker from the bottom six, Seb Maher, has 26 wickets.

ANZ Avatiu-Nikao play Takuvaine in Nikao, Tupapa 2 play the All Stars in Tupapa and Titikaveka play Tupapa 1 in Titikvakea.