Mele Tafea Bulls have claimed a double victory in the Vanuatu Cricket High Performance T10 competition grand finals after defeating the Mighty Efate Panthers on Saturday March 20, at the Vanuatu Cricket Grounds. This tournament win is the first T10 win for the Mele Tafea Bulls men and the second consecutive win for the Mele Tafea Bulls women. The competition is proudly sponsored by Societe Pastorale de la Loumpate Limited, Pacific Private Bank and Vanuatu Beverage Limited and featured Vanuatu Cricket’s National players and the best club cricketers in Vanuatu along with equal prizes for the men and women. The competition was played in a round robin format with each team playing each other twice and the top two teams at the end of the round matches progressed into the grand final. Former defending champions in the men’s category, the Ifira Sharks, were knocked out in the rounds pushing the MT Bulls and ME Panthers into the Final. MT Bulls women on the other hand have defended their T10 title even through some challenging round matches where they sustained two consecutive losses, breaking their ultimate winning streak in the T10 format of the game within Vanuatu. This double victory by the Mele Tafea Bulls saw them run away with 200,000VT in cash, 100,000VT for the Women and 100,000VT for the men, proudly sponsored by Societe Pastorale de la Loumpate Limited. With the growth of cricket in Vanuatu and the VCA strongly advocating for equality in sport and in society, the equality in the sponsorship of the prizes is a huge steppingstone for the VCA moving forward because it provides an even playing field for both men’s cricket and women’s cricket to co-exist and succeed without prejudice and discrimination. The equal prizes did not end with the major tournament prizes but carried on in the individual player awards with both the men and women receiving the same amount of money sponsored by the Pacific Private Bank for the player of the matches, player of the grand final, top runs scorer, top wicket taker and the player of the tournament awards. Patrick Matautaava and Valenta Langiatu were awarded as the players of the tournament based on their outstanding individual performances throughout the competition. Valenta Langiatu (131 runs) and Nalin Nipiko (165 runs) were the top runs scorers for the competition and Leimara Tastuki (5 wickets) and Stephane Sandy (6 wickets) were the top wicket takers. The most runs scorers and top wicket takers were identified based off the stats from the round matches. Full stats can be accessed on CricHQ via the link https://www.crichq.com/competitions/13976/draws/current
Vanuatu Cricket is privileged to partner with Societe Pastorale de la Loumpate Limited, Pacific Private Bank and Vanuatu Beverage Limited who are all committed to creating an equal playing field where men and women can succeed in sport in Vanuatu.
The results of the grand finals conclude Vanuatu Cricket’s T10 competition this year and the VCA is looking forward to the upcoming T20 club tournament set to start on Saturday March 27th.
Grand Final Summary Women’s Grand Final MT Bulls vs ME Panthers
Toss: MT Bulls won the toss and elected to bowl first. Result: MT Bulls won by 6 wickets Match summary: The MT Bulls having won the grand final toss, elected to bowl and sent the ME Panthers on to the crease to bat first. ME Panthers, opened with Merielle Kenni and Kyla Niras in a partnership that saw just 2 runs before Niras was dismissed from the crease by Vicky Mansale then Kenni falling shortly after. Maiylisse Carlot replaced Niras on the pitch and proceeded to be ME Panthers highest run scorer in the grand final with 11 runs before being dismissed. The ME Panthers with 17 runs on the scoreboard at the fall of their second wicket remained positive as Selina Solman was yet to bat. However, things turned sour for them as Solman was dismissed first ball she faced. A collective effort from the ME Panthers tail enders brought the team’s total to 43 runs at the end of their 10 over inning. Mele Tafea Bulls needing just 44 runs off 10 overs to claim the win were confident as they sent batting powerhouse, Valenta Langiatu in to bat with Nasimana Navaika to support her. However, MT Bulls were in for a shock as Langiatu was dismissed for a duck followed by Navaika two balls later. The shock was served by Annais Stephen who picked up the wicket of Langiatu, Navaika and Alvina Chilia who came in at number 3 in the Bulls’ batting order. MT Bulls had their fight cut out for them as they scrambled with Marcelina Mete and Shania Kenni who got the scoreboard ticking. Mete’s 18 runs contribution got the MT Bulls over the winning line securing their second T10 win. ME Panthers 8/43: Maiylisse Carlot (11runs), Merielle Kenni (8runs), Vicky Mansale (2/4), Marcelina Mete (2/10). MT Bulls 4/44: Marcelina Mete (18 runs), Shania Kenni (11 runs), Annais Stephen (3/9). Mele Tafea Bulls defeated the Mighty Efate Panthers by 6 wickets. Player of the grand final: Marcelina Mete
The full scorecard can be accessed on CricHQ via the link https://www.crichq.com/competitions/13976/draws/50295/rounds
Men’s Grand Final MT Bulls vs ME Panthers Toss: ME Panthers won the toss and elected to bat first Result: MT Bulls won by 8 wickets Match summary: The MT Bulls men having just celebrated the MT Bulls women’s victory, were motivated to continue the celebrations with another victory however, they were pushed on to the back foot when they lost the toss and were sent in to bowl first by the ME Panthers. ME Panthers, knowing that they had to control the game as the MT Bulls are strongest when they bat first, chose to bat and sent in Joshua Rasu and Junior Kaltapau to open the batting. MT Bulls choosing to take advantage of the situation opened with Patrick Matautaava who sent Rasu packing in the second ball of the inning. Lazaro Carlot entered the crease at the dismissal of Rasu’s wicket only to be sent off in a mix up between the wicket causing him to be run out. MT Bulls continued their dominance streak with Williamsing Nalisa bowling Wesley Viraliliu leaving the Panthers with 17 runs and 3 wickets down. Just when all hope for a respectful total seemed out of reach, Jarryd Allan stepped up for the Panther and scored a whopping 42 runs off 25 balls to bring the ME Panthers’ total to a respectful 77 runs at the end of their inning. MT Bulls needing only 78 runs to win were confident and their confidence showed with Patrick Matautaava knocking 4 massive SIXES and 35 runs off just 15 balls and Clement Tommy chipping in 26 runs off 12 balls to bring the MT Bulls to their first ever T10 victory. ME Panthers 6/77: Jarryd Allan (42 runs), Junior Kaltapau (10 runs), Williamsing Nalisa (2/17), Patrick Matautaava (1/6). MT Bulls 2/78: Patrick Matautaava (35 runs), Clement Tommy (26 runs), Wesley Viraliliu (1/6). Mele Tafea Bulls defeated the Mighty Efate Panthers by 8 wickets. Player of the grand final: Patrick Matautaava.
The full scorecard can be accessed on CricHQ via the link https://www.crichq.com/matches/915382/1st_innings
You can watch or re-watch the full action of the grand final on Vanuatu Cricket’s Facebook Page via the link: https://fb.watch/4nWSqCSEuN/
Players of the tournament: Patrick Matautaava & Valenta Langiatu Prize Sponsored by: Pacific Private Bank
Photos:
Top Left: Players of the grand finals: Marcelina Mete and Patrick Matautaava Top Right: Players of the tournament: Patrick Matautaava and Valenta Langiatu Bottom left: Women's Players of the matches (round 1 - round 9) Bottom right: Men's Players of the matches (round 1 - round 9)
Prizes sponsored by: Pacific Private Bank
Vanuatu Cricket Acknowledges the sponsors, partners, stakeholders and the Vanuatu Cricket family for their support in making this competition a successful one. The end of the T10 competition marks the start of the T20 club championship which will kick off on Saturday March 27th with 7 clubs ready to compete for the T20 championship title. The clubs are as follows: Mele Bulls Cricket Club, Paama Sharks Cricket Club, Ifira Black Birds Cricket Club, Tafea Cricket Club, North Efate Bush Pigs Cricket Club, Mighty Saints Cricket Club and Power House Cricket Club.
