It's been a bitter-sweet ending to World Cricket League for Vanuatu and Fiji.
Both teams recorded emphatic victories in the final round but ultimately ended up short of their pre-tournament aim of promotion.
Vanuatu beat Norway by 91 runs in a rain-affected game to finish third.
Vanuatu players come together during a warm-up match in Sydney. Photo: Facebook / Vanuatu Cricket
Jonathon Dunn struck 114 at the top of the order as the Melanesians piled on 309 for 3 batting first. before restricting the Norwegians to 159 for 8 in 36 overs.
The President of Vanuatu Cricket, Mark Stafford, was proud of the way the team responded following their semi final defeat to Suriname.
"The Vanuatu team is a group of players who really play for their jumper. They play for their country and they play for their community. Today was just bringing it all together with a very very positive attitude and the results were on the board after 50 overs - 309 runs. We even had to play without our captain, Andrew Mansale, who was ill with the flu but the team and all the players rose above that".
Meanwhile a run-a-ball 96 from Jone Wesele laid the platform for Fiji's 235 for 9, before Botswana were skittled for just 102 in the playoff for fifth place.
Fiji men's team at the launch for World Cricket League 6. Photo: Cricket Fiji
Fiji coach Shane Jurgensen was pleased with how the team finished but admits to mixed feelings overall.
"Obviously the last two games [we] played extremely well, played the cricket that I know and we know that we can play. We're a good cricket team but unfortunately it's a little bit too late, but at least we stabilised ourselves in divison six for now and it puts us in a strong position. We know what we expect at the next one and what the standards we need to require. It's been a bit unfortunate the way it's turned out but yeah the last two games have been fantastic".
Suriname won the overall title, beating Guernsey by six wickets, although both teams earned promotion to division five.
