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Ireland Defeat PNG IN World Cup

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Neil Rock’s 43 guided Ireland to the brink of victory after a stunning bowling performance, led by JJ Garth (4-18), dismissed PNG for 121.
A brilliant bowling display that dismissed PNG for 121, set up an ultimately tricky 3 wicket victory for the Irish under 19s in the World Cup overnight.

Pembroke’s JJ Garth took 4-18 after his clubmate, Josh Little (2-18), had reduced PNG to 15/2 inside 5 overs after Ireland had been asked to bowl first.
Rangiora, near Christchurch, hosting its first match of the competition saw the largest partnership of the day for the PNG fourth wicket. After Mark Donegan had run out Sam for 5, Mahuru (45) and Toua (39) put on 78 runs together.

However, when JJ Garth broke that partnership it set about a spell of bowling where PNG hadn’t the answers to the questions he and captain Harry Tector were asking. Garth and Tector (3-32) took the final seven wickets for just 21 runs over 12 overs.

As a result, Ireland bowled PNG out for 121 inside 38 overs and Ireland set about the chase with an hour’s play before lunch.

That hour could barely have been more awkward for the Ireland top order. James Tau, the PNG captain, removed Donegan and Vincent in an over before also taking the wicket of Tector to leave the score 37/3 after 13 overs at lunch.

Immediately out of the break Ireland lost a fourth wicket, before Jamie Grassi’s 67 ball 24 was ended in the 27th over and Ireland still 50 runs shy of victory.

However, Neil Rock having already shared in a 33 run stand with Grassi, then partnered Graham Kennedy for 45 runs to take Ireland within 6 runs of victory. Rock batted for 67 balls, content to take the singles and accumulate the runs where he could, before hitting a four, followed immediately by a 6 to ease the pressure a little on the chase.

When Rock fell within sight of victory, there was still time for Josh Little to become Tau’s 4th wicket and add a little tension back into the game.

But that merely allowed JJ Garth to come to the middle and hit the winning runs to go with his four wickets, not forgetting a valuable 17 not out from Graham Kennedy also.

Next up for Ireland is the 13th Place play-off against Namibia U19s on Saturday January 27th at 10.30am (Friday January 26th 21.30 Irish time)

Ireland U19 v PNG U19, ICC U19 Cricket World Cup Placings Match, Rangiora, Christchurch New Zealand

Ireland won by 3 wickets

PNG 121/10 (37.1/50 overs) Mahuru 45, Toua 39; JJ Garth 4-18, H Tector 3-32, J Little 2-18
Ireland N Rock 43, J Grassi 24; Kennedy 17*; Tau 4-45

Toss.jpg
Captains Harry Tector and James Tao at the toss
Yes
Connaught

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