Papua New Guinea: Lae Hoods take National Club Championship

Lae Hoods won the inaugural Papua New Guinea National Club Championship held over the Easter weekend at Lae, when they defeated Kempa of Port Moresby by 149 runs in the final of the six-team competition.

William Maha, who made 28 appearances for PNG in the ICC Trophy between 1982 and 1994, was the star for Hoods scoring 119, including ten fours and seven sixes (reported as being his first century in ten years), and then taking 3/28.

Hoods totalled 266 in their innings, with Maha receiving good support from Wala Vala (77). Kempa were bundled out for 117 in reply in just 28.4 overs.

Egala'auna won the playoff for third place, defeating fellow Central Province village side Kara-wa by five wickets.

The two remaining teams that took part were Coronation (Lae) and Oro Hoods.

The latter team were commended by PNGCB chairman Veari Maha after taking two days to travel to Lae in two dinghies to take part in the championship.