The Mele Bulls CC continue on their winning ways. The Cup-holders have continued their premiership winning form by only dropping one match in the first half of the BDO Club Championship season. They also took out the pre-season trophy. The Bulls have been ably led by National side captain, Pierre Chillia, with good support from Iain Johns who is bowling very well and young Fennety Masauvakalo who at 16 is showing a good deal of maturity and a pleasing blend of aggressiveness mixed with stubborn defence. Mele will be hard to shift from the top of the table.

Mele are closely followed by Vanda Steelers and the youngsters from Malapoa College, (who have benefitted by the withdrawal of the Lycee CC prior to the start of the season).

The Steelers who luckily withdraw their threat to wear pink spotted shorts this season have benefitted from the consistency of a couple of old hands, Mark Dunn and Doug Hutchison. The team's sponsor Nick Gardiner has contributed with the ball and Jacko has been drawn out of retirement to annoy the opposition batsmen. Perhaps a key to Steelers consistency is the contribution made every week by CJ Dawson who ensures that there are plenty of beverages to keep the Golden Box full. Special mention should go to 12 year old Nick (Bucket Hands) Wark who has taken more catches in his few appearances then the rest of the team has in the past two sessions.

Malapoa College have been strengthened by Paul Brooke, the 2000 Champion Player, joining them. Together with Pacifica rep., Richard Tatwin, Patrick Haines and young skipper George Regenvanu, the team has a strong nucleus. I have also heard that opposition teams are shaking in their boots with the news that George Adams is likely to return fully fit for the second half of the season. It has been said that George learnt all his cricket by sitting in the stands and paying close attention to the late great Don Bradman.

Sportzpower currently makes up the top four. Some judicious recruiting early on got the team away to a good start. However, Big Boy Arbatch has been recalled to defend New Zealand and has left a sizeable hole in the batting line-up. The unfortunate injury to Simon Fletcher is a sorry blow. The transfer of the energimatic Muhammad from the Lycee will help the Sportzpower boys, if he has a good day. They are a solid team that will continue to trouble the rest.

North Efate Bushpigs and Tafea CC follow. The Bushpigs have not shown anything like the form that took them to the past two Grand Finals. It would appear that their new young recruits are taking their time to adjust to the pace and intensity of cricket in Vanuatu. Glen Green smashed a quickfire century in the seasons opener and has bowled with his usual vigour but apart from that the cupboard has been pretty bare for the Bushpigs. They could be rooting around at the bottom of the ladder if their fortunes don't change quickly.

The young Tafea boys have only won three matches. However they have lost the rest in really good style. They have been playing good aggressive never - say - die cricket and only need a bit of luck to leap frog up the ladder over the likes of the Bushpigs and Sportzpower. Cousins Jeff & Ken Natapei have shown good style and great attitude. Skipper Tari Seru has not lost any of his fire The elegant Albea Nalisa always looks like he's ready to break out and perform for the crowd. With the calming influence of Yama this team could really surprise.

The dungeon of the ladder is jointly occupied by Ifira and Paama CC.

Ifira has re-grouped this year and are in the process of team-building. A couple of dormant players like brothers Bakoa and Barbera Kaltongga have added abit of strength to the lineup. But the big news is the GIRL. Belinda has moved to Vanuatu to work and has taken the cricket world by storm. Her gentle left arm swing bowling has bewildered the opposition. She left the Vanuatu national captain scratching his ............ and crying over his shattered stumps. Belinda is a sensation. But she won't be enough to lift Ifira out of the basement.

About the most amusing thing I have heard all season was the boys from Paama talking confidently of their finals chances after the last match of the first round. The humour comes from the fact that it was the first match they had won in the season. Wai Kim's abacus was clicking away checking out the permutations and he told them: "Yes, if we win the rest of our games we are a CHANCE!" I would not bet my house on it guys.

© 2001 CricInfo Ltd