Rika hammers 257 as Fiji crush Japan

Josefa Rika struck a breathtaking 257 as Fiji crushed Japan by 387 runs at Vanuatu - but it's not enough to take them through to the qualifiers. Defeats to Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu mean that Fiji taken on Japan in the third-placed play-off.

Still, it was decent batting practice - and then some - for Rika whose 257 came from 145 balls, as Fiji walloped 440 for 8 from 50 overs. Rika's knock included 37 fours and six sixes.

Sekope Biauniceva then took 6 for 13 as Japan subsided for 53 in 19.3 overs. Biauniceva's control - and his safe pair of hands - can be illustrated by four of his wickets coming from return catches while his other two successes were bowled. Bianuniceva's opening bowling partner Tukana Tavo took 3-29.

The sides meet again on Sunday and Japan will hope to improve their performance - or at least get rid of Rika quickly.

Elsewhere, the favourites PNG earned a psychological advantage over Vanuatu for their all-important final clash, also on Sunday, when they won a low scoring match by eight wickets.

Willie Toua Gavera took 3 for 7 and Heni Siaka bagged 2 for 7 as the home team was restricted to 115 for 9 after batting. Andrew Mansale, who scored a superb 157 on Wednesday, could score only nine before he was smartly caught at point by Colin Amini off Gavera.

PNG achieved the victory target in 14 overs with Tony Ura hitting a rapid 38-ball unbeaten 67 that included 11 fours and two sixes. For Vanuatu, fast bowler Johnathan Dunn took 2 for 40.

The winner of Sunday's final will join the four other regional tournament winners; ten Full Members and hosts Malaysia for the Under-19 World Cup which begins in February in Kuala Lumpur.