A rare midweek game of the Isuzu National One Day Cup produced an upset with Isuzu Red recording a big win over the previously undefeated Isuzu Black. Black still sit comfortably on top of the table but were left licking their wounds after suffering a comprehensive 115 run loss to the Reds.
Isuzu Red won the toss and elected to bat first hoping to apply scoreboard pressure on the previously untroubled Black line up. Opener, Dogodo Bau, only lasted three balls meaning CJ Amini entered the fray early and from there he and Tony Ura put together a 126 run partnership.
Amini was dismissed for 41 by Assad Vala and then Ura was the next wicket to follow caught and bowled by Boge Arua for a well compiled 89 with the team score 3/166. Apart from Tanti Heni (17) the rest of the red batsmen struggled with the reds eventually bowled out in the 49th over for 205. Wanders Club player and former Garamut, Sinaka Arua, did most of the damage with the ball finishing with 5/29 off 7.4 overs and the ever reliable Assad Vala with 3/16 off his seven overs.
Chasing a very achievable 206 the Isuzu Black batsmen must have been confident of victory number seven as they started their innings. The mood quickly changed as they lost early wickets including Vala (2) LBW to Alei Nao and then Lega Siaka (23) also LBW this time to CJ Amini to find themselves 4/50.
Simon Atai fought hard top scoring with 28 for Isuzu Black but received little help from his team mates as wickets continued to tumble with Black surprisingly routed for 90 in the 22nd over of the innings. Amini backed up his batting performance taking 4/19 off his six overs and fellow Barra, Hiri Hiri, also finished with 4/16 from his four overs to secure the confidence building win. Tony Ura was named player of the match with his game high 89 runs just ahead of CJ Amini’s all round performance.
Isuzu Black retain top spot on the ladder but this win gives Isuzu Red a little breathing space in second spot over the injury depleted Isuzu Yellow. Round four continues this weekend.