Hebou and Dulux Champions of PNG

The Hebou Hammers broke the hearts of BSP over the weekend with a narrow 14 run win at Cricket PNG's prestigious 2011 Monier Shield Men's 50 over National Title. In the women's 35 over final Dulux Magic went back-to-back with a comfortable seven wicket win.

The men's game went down to the wire when the BSP Hearts fought their way back into the game after a slow but steady start. With one wicket in hand BSP needed 25 to win off 25 balls and fell agonisingly short.

Earlier the Hebou Hammers posted a challenging total of 198 with several solid performances by their batsmen in Greg Baeau (48), Captain Chris Amini (45), Jason Kila (43) and Joel Tom 28. The Hebou Hammers skipper promoted himself to open the innings with wicket keeper Arua Dikana but shortly his side was in trouble losing two quick wickets in Arua Dikana (4) and Ronnie Kivung (10). Jason Kila batting at number 4 joined his captain and settled in quickly with some good hard hitting. The pair got the score to 3/86 when Jason departed and Chris Amini as usual batted patiently keeping his wicket. Greg Baeau joined his captain and put together another handy contribution to take the score up to 137 for 4 before Amini miss timed a ball and was caught by Mea Nao.

The Hebou Hammers batsmen were patient in their inning with Greg Baeau and Joel Tom making another useful partnership of 46 runs taking the score up to 180 before Joel was bowled by his younger sibling Toua Tom for a handy 23 runs. Greg Baeau shortly followed Joel as the Hammers ran out of overs finishing 8/198. The best of the BSP bowlers were Inoa Baeau 1/31 in 8 overs and Captain Mahuru Dai 2/37 in his 10 overs.

The BSP Hearts in their run chase got of to a bad start when they lost Allen Joseph in the second over for no runs. Alfred Amini joined Steven Eno and the pair started to build a partnership until a mix up in running between the wickets saw Amini run out with his score on 20 and the BSP Heart were 2/32. Steven Eno followed Alfred shortly after caught behind for 15 and the Hearts were 3/35.

BSP Hearts main batsmen Mahuru Dai paired up with Paul Seia with the expectation of rescuing their side but the tight bowling of the Hammer's bowlers saw Mahuru throw his wicket away when he looked to get going on 15 runs. The BSP Hearts were in further trouble when Paul Seia and U/19 rep player Henao Geita joined rest of their team mates in the pavilion shortly after Mahuru departed with score at 6/66.

Vali Albert who came in at number 7 batted patiently keeping his wicket while others fell around him. Albert became the match top scorer with a terrific 78 due to some hard hitting late in his teams innings in an attempt to save his side from defeat. He looked to be in control of his strokes even though his team mates kept losing their wickets and finally was the last man dismissed when Joel Tom got his wicket after he played the ball off his gloves and onto the stumps.

The Hebou Hammers started their celebrations on the field immediately after hanging on for a 14 run win.

The best of the Hammers bowlers were Joel Tom taking 3 wickets for 31 and PNG U/19 pace bowler Alei Nao taking 2 for 38.

In the Monier Shield Women's 35 over Grand Final the Dulux Magic made it two years in a row and toppled the Minor Premiers Pacific MMI with a comfortable 7 wickets in hand.

Pacific MMI batted first and piled on a challenging 174 runs in their allocated 35 overs. PNG Lewas champion Pauke Siaka showed her skill and class scoring 83 not out while Vagi Gavera (22) made a handy contribution to their teams total of 7/174. The best of the Dulux bowlers was Konio Heagi taking 3 wickets for 30.

The Dulux Magic girls showed little trouble in their run chase and got the Pacific MMI total losing only three wickets. The Dulux Opening pair Eva Toua (20 runs) and young Dikana Mea (9 runs) put on a strong 45 runs. Mea was first to get out when their score was on 45 and Eva followed shortly with score on 51. Dulux's youngster Isabelle Kari played sensibly to ensure her teams victory scoring a massive 53 runs not out. Norma Ovasuru (39 not out) and Geua Boe (11 runs) also made handy contributions in their teams run chase cruising past the Pacific MMI total of 174. The Pacific MMI bowlers had a tough day in the field as the Dulux girls played sensibly all over the park. Kila Amini, Mebo Ipi and Hitolo Mala all took 1 wicket apiece.

Chairman of Criket PNG Mick Nades MBE announced the Monier Shield best achievers as part of the after match Monier Awards ceremony. In announcing the winners Mr Nades said "It is a high honour to be the best amongst your peers as part of a National Championship. To these winners you have indeed excelled at the peak level of Cricket in PNG."

Mr Nades went on to Thank Monier Limited, its General Manager Brett Young and George and Kostas Constantinou for their continuing support of the growth of cricket in PNG and remarked that "This Event, the Monier Shield plays a major role in the development of Cricket in PNG. The Monier Shield allows players from around the country to compete at the highest level and against their peers while being considered for National squads and future tours. To have a Monier National Event is the single most important activity for Cricket PNG in developing our future."

Men's Competition Player of the Monier Shield was awarded to PNG Barramundi's and Hebou Hammers all-rounder Jason Kila. The Monier Men's batsmen of the Monier Shield was Assad Vala while Jason Kila took the Monier Bowling award.

The Women's player of the tournament award went to PNG Lewas top order batswomen Mebo Pendel Ipi. The Monier Women's Batting award was also won by Mabel Pendel Ipi and the Monier Bowling Award was won by Alei Pipi of the Pacific MMI team.