New Zealand dominated Japan, Fiji defended a low score against Papua New Guinea and Indonesia chased successfully against Vanuatu on day one of the International Cricket Council's Under-19 World Cup East Asia Pacific qualifier in Darwin.
New Zealand (10-295) defeated Japan (10-133) by 162 runs
New Zealand began their ICC Under-19 World Cup East Asia Pacific qualifier campaign against Japan in dominant fashion, posting a competitive 295 before bowling Japan out for a miserly 133 inside 44 overs.
A 108-run seventh wicket partnership between top scorer Zac Cumming (78 from 62) and wicketkeeper-batter Sam Clode (53 from 60) saw New Zealand recover from 6-127 after New Zealand's top order failed to capitalise after being invited to bat first.
Contributions also came from the bat of Will Julian (29 from 21) Ollie Tewatiya (23 from 40) and captain Oscar Jackson (26 from 34) to see New Zealand near 300 at Marrara Cricket Ground, with Japan seamer Kiefer Yamamoto-Lake (3-89) the high wicket taker.
Japan started the chase in shaky fashion, losing openers Nikhil Pol (9 from 18) and Aditya Phadke (4 form 34) cheaply, before a 54-run third wicket stand between captain Koji Hardgrave-Abev (37 from 60) and Shotaro Hiratsuka (24 from 59) saw Japan's innings stabilise.
However including their dismissals, Japan collapsed to lose 7-51, with New Zealand high-scorer Zac Cumming also doing the damage with the ball, taking 3-14 from his four overs.
Fiji (10-117) defeated Papua New Guinea (10-98) by 19 runs
Fiji prevailed against Papua New Guinea in a low scoring affair, with a combined 20 wickets falling for 215 runs at Cazaly's Oval.
Batting first after winning the toss, Fiji posted a modest 117 lead by Sunia Tuiwai Yalimaiwai, who scored an unbeaten 28* (32) batting at number nine.
Opener Liga Moceidaveta Manara contributed 26 (39) at the top of the order, however a steady flow of wickets and the absence of a set batter hampered Fiji throughout the entirety of the innings.
Nao Tau (4-23 from 10) was the pick of Papua New Guinea's bowlers, with captain Tau Trevor Griffin (2-39 from 9.4) also taking multiple wickets.
In response Fiji could muster just 98, with captain Nao Tau (29* from 56), left stranded with more than 19 overs remaining.
Dauncey Tom (13 from 21) and wicketkeeper-batter Nelson Pate (10 from 9) were Papua New Guinea's only other double figure contributors, with Fijian opener Viliame Matai Waqavakatoga (3-23 from 10) and medium pacer Sunia Tuiwai Yalimaiwai (3-23 from 6.4) each taking three wickets.
Indonesia (6-123) defeated Vanuatu (10-122) by 4 wickets
Indonesia's decision to bowl first paid dividends with Vanuatu bowled out for 122 inside 29 overs.
Roderick Lekai top scored for Vanuatu with 33 (39) with opener Curran Tor William Kendrick chipping in 19 (38).
Vanuatu's wickets were shared amongst six Indonesian bowlers with Made Rama Yuda Diputra the pick of the Indonesian attack with three wickets.
Although losing six wickets in the chase, three 20-plus contributions from Indonesia's batters ensured the success of the chase with more than 12 overs to spare.
Captain I Nyoman Adi Budana top scored with 24 (42), with 20 each coming from the bat of opener I Gede Teguh Pranatha Wiguna and Junison Yusuf.
Josh Andrew Molivakoro (3-34) lead the attack in defeat for Vanuatu, with Roderick Lekai (2-8) also picking up wickets in the loss.
Day two of the ICC Under-19 World Cup East Asia Pacific qualifier continues on Tuesday with Fiji playing Indonesia, Vanuatu up against New Zealand and Samoa beginning their tournament against Papua New Guinea.
