The Sharks maul eTech after they had been well hooked

Last Saturday another great cricket final was played out to a cliff-hanger finish. This time it was the turn of the emerging Paama Sharks to battle with the recently dominant eTech Tafea team.

Paama batted first and got away to a solid start Hendry Joewangeh (27) and Iarawoi Rezel (32) put up a solid opening stand of 49. Last week's centurion, Paul Farrelly, started with a hurry but was soon out for 24. Steve Johnson was hit on the pads by a full pitched ball and felt he has unlucky to be dismissed for 22, but the umpire had no doubt. Ken Natapei was bowling full and in line with the stumps moving the ball around a bit and was well-rewarded with 6 wickets for 40 off 10 overs. Ken was the star of the eTech Tafea bowlers and was well supported by Tari Seru who was very miserly with 1 for 22 off 9 overs.

It was a disastrous start for eTech Tafea when Tari was caught in the first over for a duck. However the Shark's delight soon dipped to melancholy as Jeff Natapei and Abraham Nasak went about the clinical destruction of the Paama attach. Always confident and looking very strong off the front foot Jeff made a very well put together 51. Abraham played a more responsible innings than has generally been the form this year. He hit well through the ball and dispatched it all around the ground for a fine 58. At 2 for 109 eTech Tafea were looking the goods. Some very poor shot selection in the circumstances let the Sharks slip off the hook. Patience and good judgment would have got eTech Tafea a prize catch. Their middle order batters were pathetic. They lost 6 wickets for 16 runs. The bowling of young Aby Joel, who is an exciting future prospect, in his second spell, was excellent. He had the opposition in all sorts of trouble and finished with 3 wickets for 26 off 8 overs. Some steady sensible play by the last pair of batters, Ashley and Sawia almost pulled off the match in fading light. The Sharks just got home by 6 runs. Chief Frank Mackie, the Paama Sharks team manager and spiritual leader, was ecstatic.

Next week's Grand Final will be contested by the undefeated Mele Bulls and the Paama Sharks. The match will start at 11:30am sharp at Independence Park.