Cricket, Pacific-style was reflected on an exciting open day of the inaugural Pacifica Cricket Championships in Auckland today.

With all four matches being played on good pitches with lightning fast outfields, the free-flowing strokes of the Pacific nations saw three teams post first innings scores over 300, and five centuries scored.

The Pacific style was in evidence off the field also, with batsmen accompanied to the wicket by the singing of their teammates, and every boundary and wicket celebrated enthusiastically.

The results of the first day of play have established Fiji, New Zealand Maori and Papua New Guinea as front runners for the championship round, with Tonga gaining the upper hand over Vanuatu for the second qualifying place in Pool A.

FIJI VS NEW CALEDONIA

Fiji showed that they would be the team to beat in Pool A, amassing a record score for ICC-sanctioned matches.

The Fijians scored 433/5 in their 50 overs, with three of the dismissals being through batsmen retiring. Taione Batina (102 from 82 balls), Seci Tuiwai (100 from 100 balls) and Tavo Sorovakatini (100 from 63 balls) were the century makers, with Iliesa Navatu scoring 43.

The New Caledonians were playing their first competitive international match, with many of their players having been playing cricket for only six months or less. Their inexperience showed, giving up 71 extras and having no answer to the Fijian onslaught.

The New Caledonians battled gamely in reply to the huge Fijian total, but were always going to be outclassed. Although being finally dismissed for 71, the New Caledonians were still in high spirits and had enjoyed their first experience of international competition and are ready for tomorrow's round of matches. Nicky Passil top scored with an entertaining 30, while Joji Bulabelavu took five wickets for six runs, with all his victims bowled. Bulabelavu performed a remarkable feat in the context of this match, taking more wickets than he scored runs, being first man out for Fiji for four.

TONGA VS VANUATU

The Tonga vs Vanuatu match was the closest contest on day one, with the winner well placed to take one of the qualifying spots for the championship playoffs.

Put into bat by Vanuatu, the Tongans looked to be well placed at 121/2 after 32 overs. From this point Vanuatu were able to make regular breakthroughs as Tonga looked to accelerate their scoring, the key dismissal being of opening batsman Pou'li Taulani for 54 with the score at 147.

The main destroyer for Vanuatu was Tari Seru, who finished with figures of 3-39, including a spell where he removed three Tongan batsmen for five runs in 12 deliveries. Tonga finished their 50 overs at 192/9.

Vanuatu struggled to get their innings into momentum, with Tonga picking up regular wickets. Vice-captain Richard Tatwin offered some hope with his 39, but the bowling of Langi (3-9), Maunaloa Faivakimoano (3-21) and Siupeli Tamale (2-24) kept the Tongans on top. Vanuatu were finally dismissed for 112.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA VS SAMOA

In Pool B, Papua New Guinea made the running against Samoa, posting a total of 331/4. The impressive total was based around a superb unbeaten innings of 150 from No 3 batsman John Ovia.

With Daniel Faunt (55 from 58 balls), Rarua Dikana (47 from 58 balls) and Keimelo Vuivagi (35 from 37 balls) batting around Ovia, Samoa were never able to pin down the Papua New Guinea scoring. Ovia's first 50 came from 49 balls, his second also from 49 balls, while his final 50 required only 24 balls.

The Papua New Guinea new ball pair of Toka Gaudi and Gimapau Keimelo destroyed any hope of Samoa mounting a challenge to overhaul the total, reducing the top order to six for four wickets. The Samoans were eventually dismissed for 60, with Gaudi taking 5-18 and Keimelo 3-27.

NEW ZEALAND MAORI VS COOK ISLANDS

The New Zealand Maori side began their first international match in style, compiling 308–3 against the Cook Islands.

Wellington batsman Thomas Nukunuku lead the Maori innings with 156 not out, sharing a third wicket partnership of 254 with Central Districts' Peter McGlashan (100). Best of the Cook Islands bowlers was Joseph Joe Junior, who secured all three wickets to fall.

The New Zealand Maori bowling attack was even more punishing on a Cook Islands side who were expected to provide strong opposition. The Cook Islanders were dismissed for 61, with Northern Districts' Gene Waller taking three wickets for 18, and Ashley Turner of Wellington securing three wickets for 19 runs. Top scorer for the Cook Islands was Tinolei Etita with 31.

Short Scoreboards

Pool A

Fiji 433-5 (T.Batina 102, S.Tuiwai 100, T.Sorovakatini 100, I.Navatu 43) vs New Caledonia 71. Fiji win by 362 runs

Tonga 192 – 9 (P Taulini 54, M.Favakimoana 20, S.Vite 18, T.Seru 3-39, M.Kalsaku 2-40) vs Vanuatu 112 (R Tatwin 39, Langi 3-9, M Faivakimoano 3-21, S Tamale 2-24). Tonga win by 80 runs.

Pool B

Papua New Guinea 331-4 (J.Ovia 150 not out, D.Faunt 55, R.Dikana 47, K.Vuivagi 35) vs Samoa 60 (T Gaudi 5-18, G Keimelo 3-27). Papua New Guinea win by 271 runs.

New Zealand Maori 308-3 (T.Nukunuku 156 not out, P.McGlashan 100, J.Joe jnr 3-39) vs Cook Islands 61 (T Etita 31, G Waller 3-18, A Turner 3-19). NZ Maori win by 247 runs.

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