Mansale smashes 157 as Vanuatu beat Japan

Andrew Mansale hit a century and picked up a five-wicket haul to lead Vanuatu to a convincing win over Japan.

Mansale, who played in the EAP Cup in 2005, hit 157 to lift Vanuatu to 381 for 8 in 50 overs. He returned to pick up 5 for 5 as Japan were shot out for 34.

Fred Timakta and Simpson Obed scored half-centuries to beef up Vanuatu's total.

For Japan, Naoki Kamatani and Yosuke Higashimoto took three wickets each, conceding 49 and 71 runs respectively.

Meanwhile, at the Club Hippique, Papua New Guinea (PNG) survived a scare from Fiji before winning by 38 runs. PNG, batting first, were bowled out for 118 but successfully defended the small total by bowling Fiji out for 80.

Thursday's results mean that Friday's fixtures will be dress rehearsals for Sunday's matches, when Vanuatu meet PNG in the final and Japan take on Fiji in the play-off.