Papua New Guinea bested the Dutch in their own back yard on First Class debut on day three of their first Intercontinental Cup match, courtesy and exemplary century from Asad Vala. With support from Mahuru Dai, who was unfortunate to miss out on a ton of his own by just nine runs, Vala showed the discipline and application that had been so sorely missed by both side thus far in the match to haul PNG to the 305-run winning target.

The Dutch did themselves no favours with some inconsistent bowling and no less than four dropped catches, but Vala and Dai's partnership of 200 runs in 51.4 overs - more than double the next best partnership in the game by both metrics - was an object lesson in circumspection and restraint for the remaining batsmen and deservedly won the game for the visitors.

Having resumed on 66-2 still 238 runs adrift on a pitch where 32 wickets had fallen in two days the Barramundis started the day as underdogs, and two early wickets for Paul van Meekeren to reduce them to 82-4 seemed to herald a comfortable Dutch win and set tongues wagging about the demons in the pitch. Vala and Dai spent a session and a half silencing them, punishing loose deliveries and cooly negotiating some fiery spells from van der Gugten and van Meekeren to turn the game in the Barramundi's favour.

The pair had the benefit of a few half-chances going begging, and a well-disguised bouncer from Peter Borren nearly did for Vala six short of his half century with the score on 138-4, but the top edge was put down at deep third man and Dai and Vala pressed on, both passing fifty and taking the lead down to double figures as the Dutch looked increasingly bereft of ideas.

By the time the next real chance came PNG were firm favourites and accelerating, Vala lofting a drive off Max O'Dowd low to the left of Micky Swart at extra cover, but Swart could only get half a hand on it and the ball rolled on to the rope - enough to make Asad Vala PNG's first First Class centurion. Dai looked set to join him as the visitors pushed on toward the now-inevitable win, but was trapped in front by Michael Rippon on 91 with his side still 23 short of victory. It fell to skipper Jack Vare to accopany Vala on the home stretch, and to hit the winning runs for his side, Vala finishing unbeaten on 124 and Papua New Guinea claiming a five wicket win just before tea.

The two sides now have a three day break before the first of two WCLC one-day games, to be played at Hazelaarweg on monday.