Champs defend title

Scorpions men and Telikom women successfully defended their NCD volleyball premiership titles on Saturday at the Taurama Aquatic and Indoor Stadium.
The stingers brushed aside a strong challenge from newcomers Lavukoloa to win 3-1 and Telikom recovered from a two-set deficit and fought for every point to beat Scorpions in a five-set marathon.
In a packed stadium, the grand finals provided the spectators with some great entertainment in volleyball action.
Towards the end of the opening set, Scorpions ensured better blocking and setter Junior Koi masterminded his sets, giving George David a perfect opportunity to kill and win the set.
Lavukoloa did some changes including their setter in the third set. Former PNG blocker Jeffrey Charlie led with his usual inside and outside cuts to win the third set.
Sensing trouble ahead, Scorpions introduced Glararema Gima and veteran setter Mathew Walo and the duo steadied the ship.
The tactical move delivered as George David dominated the middle both in the blocks and quick attacks to take Scorpions to victory — three sets to one.
In the women’s premier grade final, Scorpions’ Michelle Walo, Helai Oala and Isa Hicks dominated with good passing and skills at the net and setter Melisa Walo was consistent with her basic setting options. This enabled scorpions to win the first two sets.
Telikom setter Franky Daton was not at her best as she struggled to find her line with her hitters.
As a result coach Mea Johang substituted her for a younger setter but this did not work either.
Leading by two sets, Scorpions decided to use their bench players and that slowed down their momentum.
Telikom saw this as a perfect opportunity to regroup.
Daton returned to the court with Kemmy Manoni, Bibiana Paloa, Jynar Bernard, Madia Hairai and Alice Ilau stepped up their game to win the third set. Scorpions then returned their first six players and gave it all to the end.
But it was tougher as Telikom was on the roll to win the fourth set and the tie breaker – and the title for the second year.
In the men’s A grade, Jamas beat Ela Motors with three sets to two and Scorpions defeated U-Mi Yet with three sets to one.