Suva and Moce early contenders at Easter tournament

The two Suva teams and Moce have posted impressive wins on the first day of Cricket Fiji's annual Easter tournament to put themselves in a good position to claim a semi-final place.

A swashbuckling century by Suva Warriors Kida Jikoivanualevu was enough to power the home side to a comfortable win in their first match against Oneata. Kida's unbeaten 108 included nine sixes as he dominated the Warriors scorecard.

When the innings finished with the Warriors on 155-3, it had posted a total that would be hard for Oneata to chase down. Alipate Waqarua was the best of the Oneata bowlers taking 2-31.

In reply, the Lau Islanders batted well to compile 84 before being dismissed. Viliame Kautioga (22) and Joeli Vul (21) were the pick of the batsmen, while Pitisoni Bale took 3-7.

Moce played Western Sharks in the morning at the Army Barracks Ground. With the Sharks batting first, the Moce bowlers restricted the score to 81 thanks to some tight bowling from Cakacaka (3-20) and Filimone (3-25).

Moce got the runs comfortably thanks to a hard hitting 28 from Tagilala and Malo's unbeaten 21.

The most exciting game of the day was played at Albert Park where Friends United, touring from Australia, had a thrilling win over Komo.

Friends United batted first and scored 7-148 with Don Nash scoring a powerful 58 to lead his team's total. Vakaca, taking 2-10, was the best of the Komo bowlers.

In reply, Komo got off to a great start with opener Qala slashing the ball to all parts of the field as he raced to 51. The run chase was supported by Kori (19) and Hoare (19) as Komo looked a good chance to chase down the total.

With rain looming, calculation for Duckworth-Lewis were being made by both the batting and bowling sides.

A couple of dropped catches by Friends kept the Komo team in the game up until the 16th over, however the steady loss of wickets eventually took its toll and the team was dismissed in the 20th over for 126.

Hoare and Nash took two wickets a piece for Friends as it recorded a win in its first game in Fiji.

In the remaining match, Suva Crusaders defeated Western Tigers by six wickets to get its Easter campaign off to a good start.

Friday's fixtures feature a number of games that will have a significant bearing on the race to claim a semi final position.

Friends United will face a West Tigers team desperate for a win, while Komo will need a win against Suva Crusaders to keep their semi final chances alive.

It promises to be another exciting day of cricket.

DAY 1 - RESULTS SUMMARYMORNING MATCHESAlbert Park

Suva Paper 1 Crusaders 89-4 (Tukaha 31, Tabalokuci 13 not out, Vakasaya 2-19) defeated West Tigers 88 all out (Tauyesa 35, Driu 13, Yabaki 3-15, Cakacaka 2-11).

Army Barracks Ground

Moce 85-4 (Tagilala 28, Malo 21 not out, Cakacaka 16 not out, Tunoa 2-26) defeated Western Sharks 81 all out (Isireli 12, Ravula 12, Cakacaka 3-20, Filimone 3-25)

AFTERNOON MATCHESAlbert Park

Friends United 148-7 (Nash 58, Venkyesnar 40, Vakaca 2-10) defeated Komo 126 all out (Qala 51, Finan 19, Kori 19, Hoare 2-18, Nash 2-34)

Army Barracks Ground

Suva Paper 1 Warriors 155-3 (Jikoivanualevu 108 not out, Tavo 11, Waqarua 2 for 31) v Oneata 84 (Kautioga 22, Vuli 21, Bale 3-7)

DAY 2 MATCHES - FRIDAY APRIL 2nd MORNING MATCHES

Albert Park - Oneata v Moce

Army Barracks Ground - Suva Paper 1 Warriors v West Sharks

AFTERNOON MATCHES

Albert Park - Friends United v West Tigers

Army Barracks Ground - Komo v Suva Paper 1 Crusaders