Oro Hoods - high-flyers of PNG Popondetta cricket

When light aeroplane is your team's first choice mode of transport to a cricket match, the illusion could be given of elite professionalism.

Nothing could personify, however, grass roots cricket more than the boys of the Oro Hoods team who compete in Papua-New Guinea's Popondetta competition.

It is a situation typical of not just PNG cricket, but mainstream life.

For when the Oro Hoods set out to travel to the town situated on the northern coast of PNG's tail for a competition match, they encounter a problem common to all needing to travel in PNG - the rugged terrain and lack of infrastructure.

"By plane it takes 20 minutes to Popondetta - by road about two days," Oro Hoods captain and official, Alewa Alu revealed.

Were the boys to travel overland from Oro, situated on the PNG tail's southern coast, it is likely they would pass close to one of PNG's most famous landmarks, the Kokoda Track.

Just as the track is legendary for the scene of the Allies' halt of the advancing Japanese forces in the Second World War, Popondetta cricket is making its own comeback from near oblivion.

Four years ago, there was no cricket in the town of 2,000.

Now eight teams comprise a league which Alu said is regaining the townfolk's attention.

"Interest is picking up. Our local comp. got some publicity in one of the (Port) Moresby 'papers and people saw their names in the 'paper and now everybody is coming back to play."

Attendances however remain sparse, as matches are usually watched by players' friends and family.

Still, it is very much a competition which reflects the communities of Popondetta and surrounding townships, as each team represents intentionally or unintentionally some section of local society.

Oro Hoods evolved out of Oro United, the team representing the township in PNG's Central Province. It was renamed when Alu arrived several years ago from Port Moresby where he had played for Hoods in the capital's competition. On arrival, he promptly added his old team's moniker.

The Popondetta Agricultural Training Institute (PATI) leads the competition after nine rounds ahead of Wanderers.

The latter club provides a vital role in the community, as its team members are drawn from the young unemployed so cricket provides a positive outlet. The club does not lack cricket pedigree, having been formed by the local Ambo family, of whom Oliver represented PNG. Perhaps their best player is Michael Ambo, the team's strike bowler. Another key member is Joe Neba, batsman and spinner.

Fourth-placed Wontoks are neighbours in the part of Popondetta known as Bottom Town. Similarly, Backstreet Boys draw their players from Middle Town.

Bay Rutz (sixth) and Raro (seventh) both hail from the town of Oro Bay, situated about "30 minutes" from Popondetta.

Ironically, the cricket team of the Oil Palm tree plantation, situated about "10 minutes" out of town and responsible for most of the town's prosperity, trails the field in the Popondetta competition.

It is at Oil Palm where the competition's only ground is situated, both cement pitches with synthetic matting.

This creates Popondetta cricket's main obstacle.

"Our problem has been we have only one venue - availability means two matches need to be played on the one day," Alewa said.

Facilities wise the situation is improving as negotiations for two pairs of nets and synthetic matting are continuing.