Nikao miss out on first victory

Ten runs short of victory meant that the Nikao women’s side missed out on their first win at the round robin in cricket.

“It was tough going in the weekend for the new Nikao women’s side who are still searching for their first win of the round robin,” says chief executive officer of Cook Islands Cricket Alister Stevic

Up against Takuvaine in fourth spot Nikao did well to restrict Takuvaine to just 69 runs, thanks in large part to a fantastic bowling effort by Moapi who scuttled five Takuvaine batters for just 19 runs.

Youngsters Tea and Turanga also collected 2 wickets a piece.

Metua provided 23 runs not out for Nikao, but she found herself running out of partners and 10 runs short of victory.

The Arorangi women played Matavera in a closely fought battle in the weekend with Arorangi inching out the victory by 9 runs.

Says Stevic, “Matavera’s Marii Kaukura topped the batter’s scorecard with 32 runs from 36 balls. However, it was a bowler’s paradise as Arorangi’s Kat Ma and speedster Dorothy Kiria each collected three wickets from their respective overs.”

“Seventeen-year-old Matavera player Amelia Moetaua claimed 3 wickets but the pick of the bowlers went to Apii Tangata who took 4 for 20 off her 4 overs.”

The win catapults Arorangi into third spot while Matavera slips three spots to fifth.

Avana got up from their big loss to Matavera last weekend with a brilliant win over Te Ava Rau.

“Batting first, Avana piled on the runs to get to a massive total of 211, losing just 4 wickets in the process. Lina Taufahema and Teremoana More scored 53 and 50 runs respectively,” says Stevic.

“Youngster Jasminda Tuaputa showed why she is one of the most promising teenagers in women’s crickets collecting 2 wickets. Rere Tuaputa stole the show, taking four wickets from her 4 overs, conceding just 11 runs.”

Avana now go second on the table, just behind Turangi on net run rate.

Muri and Tupapa sit sixth and seventh respectively on the table, each with two games in hand.