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Mermaids fend off Wild Cats attacks
By WENDY KATUSELE
MERMAIDS fought back a strong
comeback by newcomers Wild Cats in Port Moresby netball’s premier
division to win 44-38 last Saturday.
It was the only match played on the day as the other two scheduled
matches did not eventuate.
Mermaids were without key player Kapu Ravu but that did not deter
the side’s determination of a win especially against a Wild Cats
outfit who have been a force to be reckoned with.
It was shooting combination of Sarufa Tore (GS) and Tetu Ralani
(GA) that saw Mermaids take an early lead in the first quarter
16-6 as Wild Cats found the going tough under ring as defense by
their opposition was up to the task.
But Wild Cats came back strongly in the second quarter to bridge
the scoreline margin gap to a four point deficit and it was the
mid court combination of Jane Wickham (WA), centre Dianne Penrose
and Raga Kini (WD) that worked wonders for the girls in the red
and white outfit.
And so goal shooter Toka Kini-Aua and former international Barbara
Stubbings (GA) kept potting the vital goals that came their way.
This quarter saw Mermaids defense faltering as goal keeper Freda
Lovare-Bual (GD) and Rachael Kapi (GK) were flat-footed allowing
Wild Cats to take advantage.
At the resume of third quarter saw a firing Wild Cats coming
strong as their defenders in former international Manu Sine (GK)
and Susan Paisoe combined well to keep Mermaids danger women
Sarufa Tore who has had a 100% shooting rate since the match
started.
But the top defense allowed Wild Cats to level the score at 28-28
at one instance simply because of silly errors committed by
Mermaids mid court that allowed complacency to creep into their
camp.
But the undying efforts of Tore again saw her long range shots
finding touch to the liking of the very small but vocal crowd that
turned up at the Rita Flynn courts.
And this could not have been possible with the efforts of play
maker Richanda Kassman at centre, Lisa Kalo (WA) and Kila Leka
(WD) who made up for the previous quarter’s unforced errors.
This resulted in Mermaids still in command 34-30 but by fourth
quarter saw Wild Cats shooting combination started to tail off as
Toka Kini-Aua and Barbara Stubbings accuracy in question missing
vital shots that could have made a difference.
But it was again Mermaids goal shooter Tore in the thick of things
to bail them out a possible defeat.
 
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