'Houdini escape' for Netherlands

A batting collapse in Toronto cost Hong Kong a match they ought to have won. Chasing 114 against Netherlands, they lost their last eight wickets for 21 runs to the spinners and eventually lost by 32 runs. Lucas Brouwers (4 for 13) and Vinoo Baldewpersad Tewarie (3 for 11) were the chief destroyers. Tewarie's spell rounded off a fine all-round show, following his 46 that took Netherlands to a total their coach Roland Lefebvre felt was about 50 runs below par on a difficult wicket.

"It was some kind of Houdini escape to win the game. We were quite a few runs short even though the outfield is quite slow and the wicket is not that easy. A score of 113 definitely wasn't enough as we were looking for at least 160," Lefebvre said.

"When they were 50 for 2 we were certainly up against it but then the spinners came on and bowled superbly and took the last eight wickets for 30 runs."

Seamer Raymond Haoda starred in Papua New Guinea's second consecutive win, taking three wickets to upstage the hosts Canada at the Maple Leaf South-West Ground. PNG, opting to bat, PNG posted 245 thanks to half-centuries from Heni Siaka and Sese Bau. Haoda's opening burst then reduced Canada to 22 for 4, a position from which they never recovered. The lower order then resisted, batted out the 50 overs to finish on 193 for 9.

John Reva, the PNG captain, was happy with his team's all-round effort. "I thought we played very well with both bat and bat and we also did well with our fielding," Reva said. "We want to qualify for the U-19 World Cup and get the experience of playing against some of the Test playing countries."

After losing their opening game, Uganda bounced back to beat Vanuatu by four wickets at the South-East Ground.

Chasing 214, Uganda were driven by half-centuries by Deusdedit Muhumza and Andrew Ochan, the opening batsman. Ochan's 57 led a strong opening stand of 118, but the innings suffered a hiccup. Four wickets fell for six runs, before Muhumza came to the rescue and he stuck on to guide his team through. Earlier, Vanuatu were lifted by Patrick Matautaava's breezy 35-ball 52, batting at No. 7.

"I am very happy as we were under pressure after losing out first game. I am happy with my boys and we are all confident we can now do well," Ahmed Yakub, the Uganda captain, said.