| Sports |
Telstar, Sparrows make netball finals
By WENDY KATUSELE
ESCO Telstars and KK
Kingston Sparrows have booked themselves a grand final berth in
Port Moresby netball.
Former champions Telstars were the first to earn a premiership
decider after shrugging off minor premiers Sparrows 41-39 in the
major semi finals on Saturday but the defending champions bounced
back with a win in the preliminary finals yesterday to beat City
Pharmacy Rebels 60-43 to have a shot again at defending the title
this Saturday.
Rebels had earlier on Saturday brushed aside a strong challenge
from newcomers DHL Wildcats 54-47 in the minor semi finals to keep
their finals hopes alive but strong defence by Sparrows denied
them of a premiership showdown.
The major semi finals saw Telstars a much more discipline outfit
on the day which saw the glamour side taking control of the match
from the start.
Telstars led 12-8 from the first quarter and never looked back
with goal attack and PNG pepes captain Monalisa Leka outstanding
under the post.
Leka’s brilliance in the shooting circle saw Telstars further
stretched their lead in the second quarter but while Telstars
shooting was above par, it was again the mobility and flexibility
of high flyer and international Raka Nope at the goal keeper that
worked wonders for the girls in red.
Nope had a field day maintaining close call on fellow team mate
and Sparrows giant goal shooter Nettie Sau.
Coach Lydia Veali spoke highly of her two international players
after the match, saying they performed well above expectations but
also gave credit to her players in Patricia Karukuru, Andiopa
Sabadi, Margaret Ani, Albertina Ehari and Amanda Taumata.
But Sparrows after the disappointing win came back strongly the
following day with shooting combination of former international
Julienne Leka-Maliaki and niece Sau on top of things against a
strong Rebels side.
Leka-Maliaki together with centre Dianne Kala and wing attack Alu
Opina made sure of clear passes that saw Sau potting the vital
shots resulting in Sparrows 18-13 lead in the first quarter.
In the opening quarter Sau potted the 18 points from 24 attempts.
Rebels had PNG pepe’s first choice shooter Lua Mavara a threat to
Sparrows but the top defence by goal keeper Kilala Owen and
partner Naomi Taviri-Leka was by far outstanding.
By second quarter Sparrows took a commanding 17 points lead and
Rebels will have to blame themselves for silly ball handling
errors.
This quarter also saw ten vital points went begging but again top
defense by Sparrows proved vital.
Rebels tried coming back in the third quarter which saw a more
discipline stanza for the girls in blue and white but the final
quarter it was all a Sparrows affair.
 
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