Part of the ICC's Global Development Program to progress the game in non-Test nations, and in particular the East Asia – Pacific Region Program, the second-ever ICC Pacifica Cricket Championships continued today in Apia, Samoa.

National teams from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, New Caledonia, Samoa, Tonga & Vanuatu are all competing under One Day International rules & playing conditions. New Zealand Test umpire, Billy Bowden, Australian ODI umpire, Bob Parry, and former first-class cricketer from Australia, Rod Tucker, are all present to officiate. The Umpires Manager & Match Referee is former Test umpire and current New Zealand Cricket Umpiring Manager, Brian Aldridge. All will be involved in providing cricket education sessions to the teams while they are here.

In their first tournament match after a "friendly" versus Fiji yesterday, Tonga defeated Vanuatu after posting an impressive 4/288, having been 4/144. Semisi Vehikite (81 not out) and Leiataua Losalu (59 not out) shared an important partnership. Maunaloa Faivakimona made 62 batting at number three and Richard Tatwin took 2/38. Vanuatu was all out 126 from 36.3 overs. Richard Tatwin top scored with 21 and Tonga Captain, Selusalema Vite, took 3/22. Semisi Vehikite too out the man of the match.

New Caledonia lost the toss to the hosts and was all out 37. In reply Samoa achieved the chase with three wickets down in 11.5 overs. Kolepo Folituu took 2/6. Despite the scores, there is no doubt that New Caledonia's skill level has improved greatly since the last tournament and so too has that of all other nations. Samoa's Geoff Clarke, with 4/14 received the man of the match award.

In a non-tournament "friendly", Papua New Guinea defeated Cook Islands. After being 7/124, PNG completed their 50 overs 7/254. Captain Rarua Dikana made 58 not out and the Cooks' Mou Marurai too 3/60. Cook Islands were all out 88 from 27.2 overs with Noel Kariko taking 3/9 off six overs. With 54 not out with the bat, 2/32 with the ball and some excellent fielding, the winners' Rodney Maha was man of the match.

SUMMARY SCORES FOR DAY 2
Tonga 4/288 (Semisi Vehikite 81no, Maunaloa Faivakimona 62, Leiataua Losalu 59no, Selusalema Vite 36) defeated Vanuatu 126 (Selusalama Vite 3/22)

New Caledonia 37 (Geoff Clarke 4/14) lost to Samoa 3/38

"Practice match" Papua New Guinea 7/254 (Rarua Dikana 58no, Rodney Maha 54no, Daniel Alu 38, Richard Leka 33, Mou Marurai 3/60) defeated Cook Islands 88 (Noel Kariko 3/9)

TABLE STANDINGS AFTER DAY 2
GROUP A	                                  GROUP B	
Fiji                 Yet to play     1.	Tonga           2 points
Papua New Guinea     Yet to play     2.	Cook Islands    2 points	
                                     3. Samoa           2 points
                                     4. Vanuatu         2 points
                                     5. New Caledonia   0 points

For more information: www.icc.cricket.org (Development & East Asia – Pacific / Tournament links), www.samoa.ws
Seb Kohlhsae, Samoa English Cricket Association President & Tournament Manager, Ph. +685 70 419 (mobile)
Matthew Kennedy, ICC East Asia - Pacific Development Manager, Ph. +685 76 849 (mobile)
Tim Anderson, ICC East Asia - Pacific Development Officer, Ph. +685 76 848 (mobile)
Championships Office (irregularly staffed), Ph. +685 30 641, Fax. +685 23 652 (Attention; Matthew Kennedy – Cricket Tournament), E-mail cricket@samoa.ws

© ICC 2002