BPNG down defending champs for shot at title

By JOSEPH REMA
BANK of Papua New Guinea (BPNG) beat defending champions PNG Sports Foundation (PNGSF) 17-11 in the top-of-the-table clash to book a spot in the Public Servants Netball Association division-one grand final in Port Moresby on Saturday.
BPNG hit the ground running at the Rita Flynn Indoor Complex and took a 9-7 lead at the end of the first two quarters. The last two quarter a tight affair.
BPNG’s Theresa Joseph, Vali Rawali and Joy Ali ensured there was enough supply to Margret Umare and Rosa Werei to post points.
However, it was not the walk in the park for the bankers who were given a scare when PNGSF fought back through Emily Maha, Lorraine Arika, Hannah Singut, Evanelliah Aua and Gloria Laka.
PNGSF came up with three quick goals to level the scores but they could not contain the bankers from surging ahead.
Umare scored 11 goals and Werei bagged six. PNGSF’s Raka Nope scored six goals and Carol Pihka claimed five. BPNG player-coach Rosa Werei commended her players for sticking to their game plane and making the most of their opportunities to come up with the win.
“My players did well compared with our two previous games with Sports Foundation, in which they beat us. It was a great effort by everyone and we’ll try our best to win the grand final,” she said.