EAP breakthrough with thrilling win over SA Country

East Asia-Pacific has broken through for their first win of the 2011 Australian Country Cricket Championships with a thrilling 12 run victory over South Australia Country at the Capel Oval on Tuesday.

Defending the modest total of 177, the EAP bowlers continued on from their tight bowling on day one to take three early wickets and have the South Australians in trouble at 6 for 97.

"The bowlers were fantastic early in creating pressure until SA's middle order finally succumbed," said a proud EAP coach Tom Evans.

However just when EAP looked to have control of the match a composed 7th wicket partnership between Corey Knight and Bo Wall loomed dangerous as SA added 50 runs before Skipper Andrew Mansale (VAN) created a run out from nowhere to break through after lunch.

The game was still in the balance with SA requiring 31 runs to win with three wickets in hand. SA patiently chipped away at the target until Mansale again struck this time bowling South Australia?s top scorer Knight for 45.

Then Vani Vagi Morea(PNG) took a sharp catch giving Mansale his second wicket before Willie Gavera (PNG) picked up his third to claim a 12 run victory and spark jubilant celebrations at Capel Oval.

"It's great to have our first win and to play well was very pleasing," said EAP Captain and man of the match Andrew Mansale who completed a crucial run out and finished with bowling figures of 2/27 from 24 overs that included 14 maidens. To top it off he made a solid 31 on day one of the match.

Morea with 53 and Trevor Langer (VAN) 47 not out also battered well on day one with Gavera 3 for 24 from 18.2 and Sakaria Lomani (FIJ) 2 for 22 from 15 joining Mansale among the wickets.

The win moves EAP up to 6th on the ladder and they will complete their 2011 ACCC campaign on Thursday when they begin a two day match against ACT.

To keep up to date with scores and statistics from the ACCC visit http://www.cricket.com.au/accc2011