EAP bounce back with win over WA

The East Asia - Pacific (EAP) team today bounced back from their disappointing Round 1 result to record a hard fought win against Western Australia (WA) in Round 2 of the Australian Country Cricket Championships (ACCC) being contested in Mildura, Victoria.

EAP Captain Rarua Dikana won his second consecutive toss and elected to bat on a hard but slightly grassy wicket at Henshilwood Oval in Irymple.

Having been dismissed twice by NSW the previous day, the EAP batsmen were looking to work into some form and openers Arua Uda and Tikovanualevu Kida set about doing just that. The pair fought their way through the new ball and reached 84 (an EAP record) before Uda lost his wicket for 58 trying to loft over mid-on. Kida followed shortly after for 21 and EAP went to lunch at 2-87.

Senior players John Ovia and Jamie Brazier returned to the crease after the break however it wasn't long before WA had EAP on the ropes. Brazier's dismissal for 3 was followed by Assad Vala (0) and Mahuru Dai (1), and EAP had lost 5-15 in the period around lunch.

Talented 19 year old Andrew Mansale joined Ovia at the crease and the pair set about recovering the innings through an impressive display of disciplined batting. At tea EAP had reached 5-165 with Ovia's strokeplay combining well with Mansale's tight technique and aggressive running between wickets.

The pair continued on after tea before Ovia was caught at backward point off a thick outside edge for a well compiled 63. Wicket-keeper Ipi Morea (2) and Dikana (3) both failed to trouble the scorers and EAP was again on the back foot. Debutant Patrick Giles-Jones joined Mansale, and with the WA bowlers tiring in the Mildura heat, the pair began to find the boundary regularly as EAP pushed for late runs.

Mansale was eventually dismissed for an impressive 71. The all-rounder posting his highest score for EAP in his 3rd ACCC match.

Giles-Jones (28 not out) and Kitione Tavo (20 not out) pushed the score to 9-278 at the completion of the 100 overs with an unbeaten 25 run partnership.

With a healthy score on the board the EAP bowlers attacked the WA top order early on Day 2 but met sturdy resistance and went to lunch with the game evenly poised at 2-93. Hitolo Areni (2-61 off 21 overs) claimed the first wicket and then pulled off a spectacular run-out with a direct hit from fine leg.

The introduction of off-spinner Jamie Brazier (3-49 off 34) saw the runs dry up for WA. With support from Areni and fellow pace bowlers Tavo (1-54 off 16) and Dikana (0-26 off 16), Brazier built pressure on the WA middle order with the result being regular wickets throughout the middle session.

At tea EAP had moved into a winning position with WA on 6-171 requiring 108 runs for victory off 32 overs. This position strengthened shortly after the break as EAP raced through 15 overs claiming 2-37. With the required run rate increasing WA went on the attack however the EAP bowlers held their nerve. Tavo returned to claim the final wicket and dismiss WA for 226.

Brazier's 34 consecutive overs and an outstanding fielding display that netted 4 run outs, were the highlights for EAP as they recorded their first victory of the 2007 ACCC.

Commenting on the victory Brazier said: "This was a tough game. We showed a lot of character to bounce back after Round 1 and worked really hard to get over the line."

"Our fielding today was excellent however there is still a lot of room for improvement in other aspects of our game. Hopefully we can push Queensland in Round 3 and get another win on the board," continued Brazier.

EAP will head to Alcheringa Sports Ground in Gol Gol to take on reigning Champions Queensland in Round 3 of the ACCC.

Hourly updates and full scorecards from Round 2 are available here: