Fifth round of EAP Trophy played early

Airline tickets to Jersey and inclusion in the World Cricket League Division Five tournament in May 2008 await two of three teams contesting the ICC East Asia Pacific Trophy at Auckland’s Waikaraka Park on Saturday.

After the fourth round of matches was abandoned on Thursday, all fifth round matches were played on Friday, meaning the results from the replay of the abandoned fourth round matches will determine the two teams to travel to Europe in six months.

Cook Islands routed Samoa after a shaky start in their 40 overs contest. Recovering from a precarious 44 for 5, Cook Islands were rescued by middle order hero Jon Kairua's half-century which ensured his sides’ bowlers had something to defend at the break. The final five wickets realised a further 98 precious runs to set Samoa a target of 143. Within six overs the Samoan innings was in tatters at 15 for 5 and never recovered to finish at 36. Joseph Joe and Tino Etita took three wickets for under 10 runs apiece and Dunu Eliaba took 2 for 10.

Vanuatu recovered from 107 for 6 to set Indonesia 237 to claim their first victory. Simpson Obed made 74 not out and Edy Mansale 50 batting at seven to right the ship and their partnership of 117 for the seventh wicket was the turning point of the match. Indonesia lost early wickets and succumbed for 74. Vanuatu must win their match against Tonga on Saturday to remain in the hunt for inclusion in the WCL Division Five tournament.

In the final game, Tonga played out a thriller against Japan, failing by 17 runs to defeat the unbeaten Japanese after being set 155 in 39 overs to win their second match. Japan remain unbeaten but are still to be confirmed as one of the top two teams. Their match against Cook Islands on Saturday is therefore crucial to both sides.