Moce Down Suva, Ono-i-Lau Challenge Next

Moce cricket team is the current holder of Cricket Fiji’s Association Cup.

This was after they defeated champions, Suva, by 46 runs at Albert Park, Suva yesterday.

Team manager, Tikiko Vulaca, said they least expected the win.

“We came in as the underdogs, because Suva is a champion team and they have a lot of clubs within their competition in Suva,” he said.

“We lost out in the semifinals in last year’s tournament.

“But we came in and we had in us that we want to beat the champions.”

Only two players from the team were from Suva, while the rest traveled from Moce.

Ono-i-Lau will be the next challenger.

“We will go back and consult with our elders of the venue for the next challenge,” Vulaca said.

“Most of them are villagers, so they will decide whether we will have it in our village or bring it back to Suva.

“I thank Cricket Fiji management, they have done a lot in terms of the development of cricket in Fiji.”

Cricket Fiji chief executive officer, Alex Konrote, indicated that it was a tough test of 50 overs.

“Moce batted first and scored 199 in 48 overs. All out. Impressive bowling attack from Suva with Peni Dakai and Kitione Tavo leading the charge.

“However Suva went in to bat and never really settled down. Suva was all out for 153.

Man of the match was Moce medium pace bowler and former U19 Rep Sekove Biau who took 4 wickets for 24 runs in 6 overs.

His 4 wickets changed the pace of the game and never let Suva really settle in to form a steady partnership.

The next Cup challenge will be at the end of February between Moce and Ono-i-Lau.