East Asia-Pacific won the inaugural women's division at the Australian Country Cricket Championships, beating South Australia by eight wickets in the final in Mount Gambier yesterday.
The match was reduced to 17 overs per side due to passing showers.
South Australia made 95 for 6 batting first, with Papua New Guinea's Pauke Siaka claiming 3 wickets for 9 runs from her two overs.
The first ever East Asia Pacific Women's Cricket Team. Photo: ICC East Asia Pacific
In reply, PNG's Tanya Ruma scored a match-high 41 while compatriot and captain Norma Ovasura added 32 not out as the EAP team reached their target with four balls to spare.
Head coach Andrew Mansale says it's been a valuable experience for the EAP teams to play against strong opposition and on good quality turf wickets.
"Most of the Pacific plays on concrete but PNG has got a field where they've got turf. Coming over here playing against country players is a big thing for the boys [and girls] and especially myself as well so I've learnt a lot from that. It's good to face those bowlers and I can see them going on to play for Australia so we've learned a lot from doing that as well".
Meanwhile the EAP men's team finished the tournament without a win, losing their final match against Queensland Country by seven wickets, to make it five successive defeats.
