Raukele faces stiff challenge

CHILLI Sounds Raukele will face the battle to stay alive in the Port Moresby A grade top four when they face Badili Hardware STC in today’s round nine matches at Amini Park.

The Steamies embarrassingly gave away easy points to Coasters last round on forfeit and will be looking to make up for that when they face the Hula men.

Raukele’s top order batsmen will need to perform above expectations particularly Jamie Iga, Ian Api and Alu brothers Chris and Tony.

Api was able to make 13 runs when batting at number two but had trouble facing United’s fast bowlers Ao Mea and Kabua Vagi with the latter destroying Raukele with a five wicket haul.

The other three batsmen also struggled and got out cheaply with Iga making only five runs, Chris four runs and Tony three runs.

All rounder Arina Lahari who was brought in to bat at number three performed well scoring a quick fire 13 runs before falling victim to one of Vagi’s deliveries.

Only Gimapau Keimelo who is currently in good form hitting a half century against Kempa in round seven to lead his side to a 30 run victory plus 37 runs last Sunday against United where Raukele lost by 31 runs.

Junnius Ani was also the other top scorer with 17 runs but the young man will need to be patient against the Steamies if he wants to make a big score today.

But Raukele must not dwell on their past and must look towards formulating a game plan to stop STC from winning.

Both teams are in the top four with STC in third place and Raukele behind them with the net run rate separating the two teams.

STC will rely on their big hitters Peter Moide and skipper Mahuta Kivung to lead their attack and lay a strong foundation for victory.

In the other Sunday match at Colts Ground Kempa face Coasters with the Api Leka coached side determined to record a win after two back to back loses recently in round 7 and 8.

Round 8 results, Coasters defeated STC on forfeit, BNG Poreporena (5/91) thrashed Kempa (10/87), PMMI Taora (8/168) walked over KCC (10/1160) and Stop and Shop United (4/165) outclassed Raukele (10/134).

The point’s ladder still has United (52.19) leading followed by Poreporena (48.01), STC (41.54) and Raukele (41.09) who make up the top four.

The bottom four teams are Taora (37.75), Coasters (29.12), KCC (27.25) and Kempa (21.47).