26 Feb 2015

Sport: Fiji one win away from World Cup

7:56 am on 26 February 2015

Fiji is one win away from the Under 19 Cricket World Cup after beating Vanuatu in yesterday's top of the table clash at the East Asia Pacific Trophy in Blenheim.

After being sent into bat, Vanuatu slumped from 47 for 1 to be all out for just 96 runs in the 24th over, with Josaia Baleicikoibia and Tadulala Veitacini bagging three wickets a piece.

The Fijian run-chase did not start smoothly as they slumped to 25 for 3 but crucial knocks from Peni Volavola and captain Saimoni Tuitoga helped them home with five wickets to spare.

Despite being on the brink of history, Fiji's Jordan Dunham says they're not getting carried away just yet.

"Yeah we're very focused. We still know that there's one game to go and then we've really got to play well against Samoa - they've been giving Vanuatu and PNG a good run - so if we could win that it would be really good, especially for us and people back in Fiji."

Meanwhile Papua New Guinea kept alive their faint hopes of direct qualification after thrashing Samoa by eight wickets.

Jack Dairi and Daure Aiga combined for seven wickets as the Samoans were rolled for just 56, with the Garamuts cruising to their target in just 13 overs.

Fiji top the standings with two wins from two, followed by Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, while Samoa remain win-less.

Thursday is a rest day, with the final round robin matches to be played on Friday.

Fiji players celebrate a wicket against Vanuatu at the East Asia Pacific Under 19 Trophy.

Fiji players celebrate a wicket against Vanuatu at the East Asia Pacific Under 19 Trophy. Photo: Cricket Fiji