Ireland win low-scoring affair in Rangiora
By the time the teams broke for lunch at 2:00pm local, Ireland had already lost three wickets in their pursuit.
Mark Donegan, Andrew Vincent and Harry Tector all departed thanks to Jame Tau within the first six overs to leave the men in green reeling. When Morgan Topping was dismissed, Ireland were 38/4 and things looked even more ominous.
But Neil Rock stepped up when it counted most to anchor a pair of partnerships that ultimately proved Ireland's saving grace. First, he combined with wicket-keeper-opener Jamie Grassi for a 33-run stand and then paired up with Graham Kennedy for a 45-run partnership. He was ultimately trapped lbw by Sema Kamea, but by then the damage had been done and Ireland's tail was able to chip away at the remaining runs to secure a nervy victory.
Kennedy finished unbeaten on 17 from 50 balls while Player of the Match, JJ Garth, who was earlier the hero with the ball, saw it through with an unbeaten three from seven deliveries.
Tector tempts Aiga into a rash shot
After winning the toss and batting, Papua New Guinea never really settled, losing wickets in the first, fifth and sixth overs before the duo of Igo Mahuru and Heagi Toua steadied the ship.
The pair combined for a partnership of 78 before Toua spooned a catch to mid-off which sparked another collapse.
His innings of 45 included four boundaries and a six and while unlucky not to make a well-deserved half-century, he helped stop the bleeding while keeping the scoreboard ticking over, although received little support from his teammates with just Mahuru (39) able to break into double figures.
Simon Atai bowled by Joshua Little
Garth was the pick of Ireland's bowlers, taking 4/18 from 8.1 very economical overs. Captain Harry Tector took 3/32 from his full complement of 10 overs while Joshua Little chimed in with 2/18.