Vanuatu players commence Melbourne season

After the first two weeks of the Victorian Sub District Cricket Association (VSDCA) being cancelled due to bad weather, the 2012/13 Season finally got under way for the four Vanuatu players based in Melbourne this summer.

Vanuatu National Players Andrew Mansale, Simpson Obed, Kenny Tari and Patrick Matautaava made their 1st XI debuts for their respective clubs as a part of Vanuatu Cricket's Vanuatu Post Player Placement Program.

Mansale and Obed played their first game for Roxbury Park Broadmeadows Cricket Club against Melton, while Tari and Matautaava played for Kingston Saints Cricket Club against Caulfield.

Unfortunately for both teams, their season got off on the wrong note, with Roxbury Park Broadmeadows losing a nail biter by one run, while Kingston Saints were outplayed by a very strong Caulfield outfit.

Caulfield posted a very respectable 7/195 of their allocated 45 overs, with Matautaava among the wickets taking 2/33. In reply, Kingston Saints were never in the hunt, losing regular wickets and were eventually bowled out for a disappointing 117 in the 40th over. Tari 24 and Matautaava 15 were among the runs.

In Melton, the home side batted first and posted 7/202 of their 45 overs with Obed (2/29) and Mansale (1/29) among the best of the bowlers. In reply, Roxbury Park Broadmeadows got off to a steady start and looked like chasing down the total, but fell an agonising one run short of the target. Mansale and Obed both scored 19 runs.

Round 2 of the VSDCA will continue this weekend with Roxbury Park Broadmeadows taking on Ormond at home while Kingston Saints take on Sunshine at home. Both matches are One Day Fixtures.