By PETER PIA
Team NCD has taken over the Games lead from the Eastern Highlands after the gold medals count at the end of day five.
As of 7pm yesterday, NCD had recorded 13 gold, four silver and five bronze which was slightly ahead of EHP having 11 gold, 12 silver and seven bronze.
EHP had not increased its total tally of 30 medals from the previous evening’s count.
They are closely followed by host Morobe with 11 gold, six silver and eight bronze while Western Highlands performed well in powerlifting, weightlifting, boxing and bowling to win five gold and two bronze.
Simbu and Madang have also gained some yardage with two gold each while Manus and Bougainville each have a gold.
Simbu had improved bagging most of their medals in powerlifting and boxing – four silver and one bronze ahead of Madang with two silver.
Other provinces that had recorded medals on the tally are Bougainville, East New Britain, West New Britain, Western and Enga.
Campaign for gold in touch footy is under the microscope as WNB look for a trifecta – gold in open men, women and mixed tem.
Western and Central are in a better position of sneaking their nose to bag a medal in the netball, league 9s and athletics.
It is expected big athletics-dominated Morobe and EHP will increase their tallies when the final heats come.
The host organising committee said most of the finals in the ball games will be completed today while others are set for tomorrow.