Bowlers take 10 scalps

Both Fiji and Samoa have put in a convincing wins over the Cook Islands in the 2012 Pepsi ICC East Asia-Pacific Women’s Championship in Vanuatu, although the Cook Islands can be proud in its bowling effort against Fiji.

Although the Cook Islands lost by 63 runs against Fiji, they managed to take all 10 wickets during their time bowling.

Amelia Moetaua took four wickers for the Cook Islands, but the progress came at a cost as Fiji put on 21 runs from her bowling.

Three of those wickets were caught off Moetaua’s bowling in the final stages of the match.

At one point Moetaua was on a hat-trick as the Fijian tail-end collapsed.

The hat-trick didn’t occur, but three bowls later Moetaua claimed her last scalp and 10th wicket in the Fijian innings.

Marii Kaukura also put in a good spell with the ball, claiming two wickets for her effort.

Tekura Kaukura had two catches to her name from her time in the field.

Fiji finished their innings with 103 runs on the scoreboard, setting the Cook Islands a challenging target for their time at the crease.

The Cook Islands only managed to knock up 40 runs in response.

The Fiji attack delivered a devastating knock in the fourth over, taking four wickets in four balls.

In their match against Samoa, the Cook Islands lost to a much more experienced side by 10 wickets.

Batting first, the Cook Islands amassed 36 runs in 12 overs, although the Samoans were able to match the effort with its opening batters in the first four overs during their innings.

The Cook Islands will play Papua New Guinea today (CIT) in their final match for the championship.

They will face a tough task in the match, with Papua New Guinea undefeated so far in the tournament.

In a twist, though, PNG tied with main rivals Japan during their match at 99 runs apiece.

Results: Game 3: Cook Islands 10-36, 12.1 overs (D Tamaiva 7, M Larsen 4, T Kaukura 4; H Mauafu 3-7); defeated by Samoa 0-38, 4.1 overs (P Mulitalo 19 not out, M Chapman 14 not out). Samoa won by 10 wickets. Game 4: Fiji 10-103, 16.5 overs (A Dean 17, L Rika 17; A Moetaua 4-21) defeated Cook Islands 10-40, 9.5 overs (S Neale 9, A Moetaua 5 not out; S Kaukiono 5-15). Fiji won by 63 runs.