EAP Humbled by Queensland Country

After the heroics of their win earlier this week against Victoria Country, East Asia-Pacific was brought back to earth in a big way today beaten by six wickets against a ruthless Queensland Country outfit.

After the early departures of key batsman Chris Amini (PNG), Ben Mailata (Samoa) and
Jack Vare (PNG), EAP steadied the innings through a solid 74 run stand between EAP captain Andrew Mansale (Vanuatu) and Assad Vala (PNG).

The pair took the score past 100 from 25 overs before a rush of blood saw Mansale caught at mid-off for 24, once again failing to capitalise on a good start.

Vala joined Mansale back in the sheds soon after when a mix-up running between the wickets with fellow countryman Mahuru Dai resulted in the powerful left hander run out for 51.

The Vala-Mansale partnership was about as much resistance as EAP could manage during an innings they would rather forget as they lost their last five wickets for just 34 runs to be all out in the 40th over for 138.

In reply Queensland Country were rarely troubled despite Dai taking 3 wickets in the middle stages of the innings to cruise passed East Asia-Pacific?s total in 36.2 overs with six wickets in hand.

EAP has one match remaining against the top of the table New South Wales Country tomorrow.

Short Scoreboard:

Round 6: East Asia-Pacific 138-10, 39.2 overs (A Vala 51, A Mansale 24) lost to Queensland Country 140-4, 36.2 overs (M Dai 3-36).