EAP narrowly miss claiming famous victory against ACT

After a horror first day for East Asia-Pacific that saw the ACT in search of outright victory declare 100 runs in front, EAP came within a whisker of a miracle outright win at Hay Park on a memorable final day of the 2011 Australian Country Cricket Championships.

All out in their second innings for a blistering 172 off just 33 overs, EAP fell just two wickets short of defending the small total of 72 to claim what would have been an unlikely outright win.

"It was a bit disappointing again with the bat today not to have a couple more big partnerships," said EAP coach Tom Evans. "But the way we bowled and fielded in the second innings was very pleasing and it would have been brilliant to snatch the points."

Sent in after the declaration, the EAP second innings got off to a poor start to be 3/4 after just two overs.

38 from captain Andrew Mansale (VAN) and a quick fire 62 off just 38 balls from Tony Ura (PNG) steadied the ship for EAP with an entertaining partnership of 94 before Ura was eventually caught out hooking.

Following that dismissal EAP then lost further quick wickets until Patrick Matautaava (VAN) strode to the crease and hit some lusty blows in his innings of 47 from 46 balls to take EAP to 172 and set the boys from the nation?s capital a mere 72 for outright victory.

With nothing to lose the EAP bowlers came out firing with Sakaria Lomani (FIJ) grabbing three quick wickets and Willie Gavera (PNG) also chipping in for one at the other end leaving ACT struggling at 4/14. Jason Kila (PNG) then got into the act picking up 2 wickets and a miracle win looked in sight as the ACT limped to 6/34.

A 30 run seventh wicket partnership relieved some pressure for the ACT before Mansale and Pipi Raho (PNG) claimed another wicket each leaving them 8 wickets down requiring a further 6 runs for outright victory.

Unfortunately for EAP a couple of big shots at the death from the ACT lower order saw them over the line in a very tight finish denying what would have been a tremendous come from behind outright win.

EAP finished the tournament in sixth place ahead of Northern Territory Country and South Australia Country and EAP coach Tom Evans believes his team were not far away from snatching a few more victories.

"Overall there was some promising signs from individual players, however unfortunately we weren't able to play that consistent level for the duration of the championships to win as many games as we would have liked," he said.