2007 South Pacific Games

PNG accepting their Gold Medal © ICC

During the first week of the South Pacific Games (SPG), the stunning Samoa Gardens Ovals in Apia played host to the SPG cricket tournament. The SPG competition consisted of a round robin format involving the five nations of Fiji, PNG, New Caledonia, Samoa and Tonga. Taking to the field in round 1, all teams looked resplendent in their traditional whites against the backdrop of the magnificently manicured playing ovals and first class facilities.

With such a long build up to the event, it was a shame to see clouds and rain in the early morning of the first day, however the inclement weather cleared up quickly allowing play to start on time and barely a cloud was seen for the remainder of the tournament. The Pacific cricketing heavy weights of PNG and Fiji were quick to assert their dominance in the early rounds against the smaller cricketing nations of Tonga, Samoa and the fledgling New Caledonian team. Nevertheless, the stronger teams did not have it all their own way and Tonga ruffled the feathers of PNG in Round 1 by running through the top order to topple the favourites for 149. Nevertheless, talks of upsets which rippled around Samoa Gardens were soon squashed as Tonga were bundled out for 95.

With Fiji and PNG recording strong wins, perhaps the game of the tournament was played in Round 2 when Samoa took on Tonga, with the result having a decisive impact in how medals were awarded. After Tonga compiled 144, the Tongan bowling attack wreaked havoc with the Samoan top order to have Samoa reeling at 7 for 40. Nevertheless, Samoan debutant Pritchard Pritchard showed maturity beyond his years to guide the tail enders through to the target as the last three Samoan wickets put on 106 between them. The tension during the final moments of the run chase proved worthy of a World Cup Final and the joy on the Samoan boys' faces was evident as they contemplated the possibility of their first ever SPG medal.

While Samoa and Tonga battled it out for the lower placings, the PNG and Fiji juggernauts rolled on and were both undefeated coming into the final round of competition in which they would play against each other in a battle for the gold. Fiji struck first and had PNG 3 for 8; however the PNG middle order hit their way out of trouble to post a respectful, but gettable, 155. The Fijian batting effort somewhat mirrored PNG's innings in that wickets were lost very early and the lower order was left to scrounge for runs. However, PNG's slower bowlers wrapped up the Fijian tail and Fiji found themselves 30 runs short of the target.

In what was a successful tournament played in a spirited and competitive manner, PNG won gold ahead of Fiji, who took silver, whilst Samoa defeated New Caledonia in the final round to secure the bronze. Tonga finished fourth and New Caledonia fifth. Credit must also be given to the New Caledonian team, who failed to record a win in the tournament against the stronger ICC-affiliated nations, but nonetheless played each game with spirit and determination.

SPG Results: Round 1:
Samoa 81 (Jone Seuvou 5/12) def by Fiji 4/84 (Josepha Rika 37, Lautala Fuimaono 4/31)
PNG 149 (Arua Uda 48, Sione Holi 3/18) def Tonga 94 (Loa Nou 3/17)

Round 2:
Tonga 144 (Winston Mariner 3/18) def by Samoa 9/146 (Pritchard Pritchard 47*, Tavita Taulani 4/36)
Fiji 8/403 (Colati Tupou 73, Kida Jikoivanualevu 67) def New Caledonia 20 (Sakaraia Levani 3/2)

Round 3:
PNG 9/340 (John Ovia 85, Assadollah Vala 67, Faavae Faaofo 4/55) def Samoa 87 (John Ovia 3/10)
New Caledonia 53 (Aisake Haukinima 5/13, Tavita Taulani 4/15) def by Tonga 1/56

Round 4:
PNG 7/572 (Kila Pala 146, Arua Uda 123, Mahuru Dai 105, Ludivic Wadeux 4/146) def New Caledonia 62 (Jacob Mado 3/21)
Fiji 8/324 (Seci Sekinini 104, Kida Jikoivanualevu 61, Aisake Haukinima 4/84) def Tonga 84 (JP Ivanhoe 38, Jone Seuvou 5/23)

Round 5:
New Caledonia 58 (Lautala Fuimaono 5/20) def by Samoa 1/59
PNG 164 (Kila Pala 48, Assadollah Vala 40, Jone Seuvou 3/20) def Fiji 135 (Kiti Tavo 39, Loa Nou 3/16)