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North Efate beat Tafea by one run and another century from Mele's Andrew Mansale as Port Vila T20 comps continue


North Efate Cricket Club edged out Tafea by a single run in a last-ball thriller at Vanuatu Cricket Ground No.2, maintaining their unbeaten run in the Haos Blo Wok Port Vila Men’s T20 Championship. Clement Tommy’s 61 and late wickets from Matthew Earl and Tim Cutler proved decisive after Tafea’s spirited chase fell just short.


Elsewhere, Mele’s Andrew Mansale delivered yet another masterclass, smashing an unbeaten 115 from just 57 balls to lead Splashe Mele Bulls to a 33-run win over Indy Park Chiefs. In the women’s division, Tafea and Splashe Mele Bulls Women each claimed strong wins, with standout performances from Nasimana Navaika, Joy Mansale, and Valenta Langiatu.


The T20 Championship pauses this weekend for the opening round of the VCA T20 Pro Series, with North vs South clashes scheduled at Korman.



Exciting Action in the Haos Blo Wok Port Vila Men’s T20 Championship 2025 – Matchday Report from 24 May 2025


CricClubs league page: https://www.cricclubs.com/Vanuatu/viewLeague.do?league=188&clubId=1093141 The Haos Blo Wok Port Vila Men's T20 Championship 2025 delivered another impressive weekend of cricket as three league matches showcased the high skill level across the teams this year, with another century from the evergreen Andrew Mansale, and half centuries to Clement Tommy, Womajo Wotu & Nalin Nipiko.

North Efate CCs vs Tafea Cricket Club at VCG No.2

North Efate won by the barest of margins, defeating Tafea by 1 run in a match that went down to the final ball .

Team

Score

Overs

North Efate Clement Tommy 61 (48) Brynley Richards 28 (26) Darren Wotu 2-11 (3) Neto Wotu 2-19 (4)

123 / 9

20.0 overs

Tafea Cricket Club Julian Tommy 35 (31) Rodrick Lekai 30 (28) Tim Cutler 2-14 (4) Matthew Earl 2-16 (3) Stanley Iata 2-17 (4)

122 / 8

20.0 overs

Result: North Efate won by 1 run

Fans at Vanuatu Cricket Ground No.2 were treated to a last-ball nailbiter on Saturday afternoon, as last year’s men’s grand final rematch between North Efate and Tafea lived up to the hype.

 

North Efate batted first after winning the toss but were on the back foot early when Ronald Tari was bowled for a duck by Darren Wotu on just the third ball of the innings. However, new recruit Brynley Richards steadied the ship with a 62-run partnership alongside Clemen Tommy.

 

Richards fell in the 10th over for a well-made 28 (26), and from there wickets fell at regular intervals. Only Tim Cutler (13 from 9) joined Tommy and Richards in double figures before being dismissed by young gun Neto Wotu. Tommy held the innings together with an impressive 61 off 48 balls, striking four fours and four sixes before he was eventually dismissed.

 

A run-out on the final ball as Mark Hurley attempted a desperate second run saw North Efate post 123. Both Wotu brothers finished with two wickets each in a strong bowling effort.

 

Tafea’s chase began with fireworks as Brynley Richards peppered in short-pitched deliveries, but it was Stanly Iata who did the early damage, repeating his 2024 grand final heroics. Godfrey Mangau, fresh off a century two weeks ago, was removed first ball before Surya Ragien edged behind to a stunning diving catch by 60-year-old wicketkeeper Mark Hurley.

 

The Lekai brothers, Roderick and Remondo, came together with the required rate at a run a ball. That stirred memories of a similar match-winning stand against North Efate. However, Remondo mistimed a sweep off Cutler, who calmly took the catch himself.

 

Juliam Tommy joined Roderick and kept Tafea in the hunt, playing some quality shots. When Roderick was dropped by Iata at extra cover, North Efate looked rattled. But redemption came quickly when Roderick drove Tari straight to Clement Tommy, who held on safely at long off.

 

Still, the Tafea lower order didn’t let up. They scored 19 from the next two overs before Matthew Earl struck twice in two balls. Junior Niroa was caught by Cutler for his third of the match. On the very next delivery, danger man Williamsing Nalisa fell to a brilliant diving effort by Iata at short fine leg.

 

With 52 needed from 44 balls and four wickets in hand, the game was still alive when Darren Wotu walked in. He and Tommy eked out 14 runs from 18 balls before Tommy was dismissed for 31 (31) via another aerial sweep. This time it was well caught by Iata in the deep.

 

Tafea’s newest recruit, Suma, then entered the fray. The right-hander took guard wearing left-handed gloves and missed five of his first six balls. It was an unlikely beginning to what would become a dramatic finish.

 

With Cutler’s spell complete, Richards and Tari were tasked with the death overs. Tight 18th and 19th overs left Tafea needing 18 from the final six balls.

 

There was even talk of Suma retiring hurt due to apparent breathing issues, but he stayed in. Off the first ball, a swing and miss allowed a bye, with Wotu calling him through as Hurley’s throw missed the stumps. Seventeen from five.

 

Next ball, Wotu attempted a mighty heave but only found Ronald Tari at long on. Neto Wotu took a single from his first ball, and suddenly, Tafea needed 16 from 3. Suma had yet to lay bat on ball.

 

Then it happened.

 

Richards kept his line and length just outside off stump. Suma launched the fourth ball over cover for four. The crowd came alive. Next delivery, a carbon copy. This one went all the way for six.

 

Six runs required from the last ball. Could it be?

 

Richards again went full and outside off. Suma lofted another cover drive, but this time the ball lacked the same power. It bounced just inside the rope.

 

Four runs.

 

North Efate held on by the slimmest of margins, winning by just one run to stay undefeated.



Andrew Mansale score yet another century for Splashe Mele Bulls
Andrew Mansale score yet another century for Splashe Mele Bulls


Indy Park Chiefs vs Splashe MeleBulls at VCG No.1

A dominant batting performance by Splashe Mele Bulls powered them to a commanding 33-run win over Indy Park Chiefs.

Team

Score

Overs

Splashe Mele Bulls Andrew Mansale 115* (57) Waene Sirovulu 2-31 (4) Jody Fred 2-31 (40

163 / 5

20 overs

Indy Park Chiefs Womajo Wotu 52 (28) Jamal Vira 18 (17) Patrick Matautaava 3-9 (2) Worek Delarue 3-38 (4)

130 all out

17.1 overs

Result: Splashe Mele Bulls won by 33 runs


Another century from Andrew Mansale spearheaded the Splashe Mele Bull first innings total of 165 scoring over 70% of the team's runs, finishing on 115 not out from 57 deliveries coming in at number five.


The Indy Park Chiefs' chase never really got into its stride, with only Womajo Wotu's 52 from 28 giving the Chiefs a glimmer of hope.



Tusker Panthers vs Mighty Saints at Independence Park


Team

Score

Overs

Josh Rasu 41 (28)

112 / 6

20 overs

Mighty Saints Nalin Nipiko 54 (24)

117 / 4

10.5 overs

Result: Mighty Saints won by 6 wickets



Dominant Bowling Performances Highlight Pacific Private Bank Port Vila Women's T20 Club Championship – Matchday Report from 24 May 2025


The Pacific Private Bank Port Vila Women's T20 Club Championship 2025 saw another two low-scoring matches this weekend, where bowling units took centre stage and delivered decisive victories.

Indy Park Chiefs vs Splashe Mele Bulls at VCG No.1

Result: Splashe Mele Bulls Women won by 8 wickets

Team

Score

Overs

Indy Park Chiefs Vanessa Vira 26* (55) Joy Mansale 2-11 (4)

64 / 6

20 overs

Splashe Mele Bulls Women Valenta Langiatu 38 (29) Pati Meltetake 2-8 (1)

65 / 3

10.2 overs

Splashe Mele Bulls Women produced a clinical performance, restricting Indy Park Chiefs to 64 from their 20 overs before chasing down the target in 10.2 overs with 7 wickets in hand.


Stars for the Bulls were Joy - daughter of Andrew - Mansalewho took 2-11 from her 4 overs and national opening batter Valenta Langiatu who smashed 38 from 29 balls.


Indy Park Chiefs Vanessa Vira fought hard in the first innings to carry her bat for 26 not out from 55 balls

North Efate vs Tafea CC at VCG No.2

Venue: Tafea by 8 wickets

Team

Score

Overs

North Efate Bushpigs Anna Griffin 15 (39)

49 / 2

15 overs

Tafea Nasimana Navaika 23 (15) Tina Kalosin 2-22 (3)

50 / 2

6.1 overs

In a over-reduced encounter, Tafea breezed past North Efate's by 8 wickets after a disciplined bowling effort set up an easy chase for Tafea.

The T20 Championships pause this weekend for the first round the 2025 VCA T20 Pro Series, seeing back to back matches of North vs South - women at 10am, men at 1pm.

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