Barakau claim Hiri netball crown

POREBADA’S goal-shooter Helen Hooper top-scored with 20 points to help her team beat Barakau 24-19 in the Hiri Junior Netball Association Under-19 grand final at Boera village on Monday.
Hooper led the tally with nine unanswered points in the opening half, then piled on 11 more in the second-half to bring her total to 20, while Henao Tara only picked four points — two in each half.
Barakau had their midcourt to blame as they were no match to their Porebada opponents.
Goal-shooter Mahuta Obaha managed to pot five-goals-from-six attempts in the opening half and then went on a scoring spree with seven goals
Obaha’s partner in the shooting circle, Rhoda Nanadai, could only manage five-from-six-attempts and was unlucky to score only two in the second-half.
In the main event of the championships, the U21 grand final, Gabagaba villagers made a lucky escape with a two-point victory 22-20 over Barakau.
Barakau, who had two teams in the finals, walked home empty-handed after the three-day junior netball tournament.
Hiri Netball Association will finalise their junior team to compete at the PNG netball junior championships from July 4-8 in Port Moresby.
The seniors’ championships is set to be staged over the Independence weekend in September.
The tournament was supported by Central Governor Kila Hoada  with K30,000, while  resource development firm MRDC contributed K20,000.
Attempts to contact the local host association president Hanua Hero Varo yesterday were unsuccessful. Results: U10 – Borea 10 Hisiu 7; U15 Buria 12 Papa 10; U17 Porebada 24 Barakau 19; U21 Gabagaba 22 Barakau 20.