Vanuatu U19 Panthers Clinch Nail-Biting Victory Over North Efate in 40 Over Shield Opener

The Domestic Shield 2025 League witnessed a thrilling opening encounter as the Vanuatu U19 Panthers edged past the North Efate Bush Pigs by just eight runs in a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very last ball on Saturday.

Vanuatu U19 Panthers secure a thrilling 8-run victory over North Efate Bushpigs, posting 231/6 against 223/7 in a 40-over match.

Joshua Rasu achieves a significant milestone with a brilliant century, scoring 139 runs off 119 balls for the Panthers.

Batting first, the Panthers set a challenging total of 231/6 from 40 overs, driven by a masterclass from national men's captain Joshua Rasu, who carried his bat, remaining unbeaten on 139 runs from 119 balls, striking nine boundaries and nine sixes, including taking 26 runs from the final five deliveries of the innings. His commanding knock, all but chanceless except for a missed stumping chance mid-innings, provided the backbone of the innings, with Sebastien Richard (24) and Tony Tamata (22) adding valuable support.

The Bush Pigs, chasing 232 for victory, mounted a determined response but fell just short at 223/7 from their 40 overs. Tim Cutler led the fightback with an explosive 56 not out from 49 deliveries, including four 4s and four 6s, while Jamal Vira (43) and Clement Tommy (42) kept North Efate in contention. However, the Panthers’ bowlers, spearheaded by Roderick Lekai, who claimed a brilliant 5/52, ensured the target stayed out of reach.

Tim Cutler celebrates reaching a half-century with a powerful cricket shot, scoring 56 runs off 49 balls.

Key moments included Lekai’s crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs, which derailed the 'Pigs’ chase, and Rasu’s run out of Mark Hurley in the penultimate stages, tightening the Panthers’ grip on the match.

This hard-fought win sets the tone for the team, an amalgamation of the country's best U19s and the pick of the Panthers - in preparation for next year's U19 Men's World Cup Qualifiers, for which Vanuatu is in the running to be awarded hosting rights.