Young guns Obed and Aby John inspire Vanuatu

Vanuatu young gun Simpson Obed has followed up his fine form in the ICC U/19 World Cup Qualifier with an inspiring century to lead Vanuatu to 87-run victory over Samoa at the 2009 Pepsi ICC EAP Men's Cricket Trophy in Apia, Samoa on Tuesday.

Obed displayed a combination of class and power throughout his fine innings, finally caught for 109, including 12 fours and two sixes. He combined well with lower order batsmen Trevor Langa (23) and Patrick Matautaava (41) to carry Vanuatu to a competitive 233 from 47.2 overs.

Earlier, talented openers Lenika Natapei and Damian Smith were dismissed cheaply to have the locals enthusiastic, Faasao and Lautala doing the early damage.

In reply, Samoa began disastrously with opener Kaisala run-out in the very first over after a superb piece of work in second slip from the experienced Pierre Chilia.

Samoa continued to lose wickets, Patrick Haines and Aby John bowling particularly well, before Faasao and Murphy Sua came together with the score on 5/59. Faasao batted with outstanding control, picking his favoured balls to belt five huge sixes in quick succession.

Haines was the one to make the breakthrough, bowling the dangerous Faasao for a well-made 56 while Aby John continued to bowl with outstanding accuracy, cleaning up the tail to finish with 5 for 37 from nine overs.

On Oval #3, Japan struggled against a fired up PNG attack, eventually dismissed for a disappointing 41. None of the Japanese batsmen batted for a decent length of time.

PNG's pace attack was again outstanding; with Willie Gavera bowling a terrific line too grab 3 for 8 from seven overs, ably supported by Joel Tom (3 for 10).

PNG also look to have uncovered another star in the making, with young leg spinner Vali Albert bowling with amazing control, picking up 2 for 10 from his nine overs.

In the other Non World Cricket League match, Tonga won the toss and batted against the Cook Islands in a thriller that would come down to the very last over.

Tonga started off well, with Captain Haukinima and the impressive Sione Holi producing a fine opening stand of 53, before a major collapse at the hands of medium pacer Pita Tare saw the Cook Islands reduced to 8 for 112.

Tare was unstoppable, bowling a perfect line and length to smash through the Tongan middle order, eventually finishing the innings with 6 for 27 from 10 overs.

Langi and Filia battled hard at the end of the innings, putting on 46 for the ninth wicket, before Tonga were dismissed for 166.

Cook Islands star all-rounder Tino Etita opened the batting with confidence, and with some support from Davis, Brown and Tautau, edged closer and closer to the required total, before Punga and Lucky Topatei knocked off the total with just two balls spare, the Cook Islands victors by two wickets.