Vala century in vain as EAP suffers three-wicket loss

A century by Assad Vala the previous day was not enough for the East Asia Pacific (EAP) team as it lost by three wickets to Northern Territory (NT) on the second day of the two-day match in the Australian Country Cricket Championships (ACCC) on Monday.

Set an impressive target of 337 for victory, NT looked in early trouble at 64-3 as opening bowlers Willie Gavera and Loa Nou gave EAP an upper hand early in very hot conditions to keep NT at 136-3 at tea.

EAP captain Andrew Mansale took the key wicket of Gardiner after lunch to have the side at 138-4 and putting EAP in the box seat for victory.

However, an 80-run fifth-wicket stand between Williams (73) and Briggs (73) steadied the ship as NT began pulling off a great run chase. EAP squandered some opportunities to break the partnership with some poor fielding as NT went into tea at 224-6 with the game certainly in balance.

EAP Coach Charlie Burke said: "I was impressed with the attitude of the boys going into tea, I felt we had bowled well but just did not collect the rewards. We spoke as a team before going out after tea knowing that an early wicket would make it hard for the NT boys to win."

After tea, the game was very poised with NT needing just four an over and EAP needing the final four wickets to complete a deserved win. However, a seventh-wicket stand of 68 runs gave NT the upper hand going into the last hour. It needed 49 off the last 11 overs and EAP was chasing the last three wickets for victory.

A display of good lower order batting put NT in command to achieve victory by three wickets, as this now almost ensures NT will win the tournament.

On his team's loss, Burke said: "I really have felt for the guys this week and a half, we have played some outstanding cricket and have been in a position to win every game apart from the loss to NSW in Round 4. The EAP team has only won four games in six years leading into this Championship, so to be as competitive as we have been shows that we (EAP) are now developing some excellent cricketers that should see our countries develop in the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Divisions."

EAP will next take on ACT in its last two-day game beginning Wednesday at Urana Road. ACT had a good win against Western Australia earlier chasing 270 for victory which it achieved with two wickets in hand.

Scores:

EAP 337 all out (Vala 103)

NT 341-7 (Gavera 88-3, Mansale 63-2, Nou 83-3, Lomani 35-1)