Champs to defend

 By WENDY KATUSELE

DEFENDING national women’s champions Port Moresby have retained the bulk of their players for this year’s national titles in Kokopo in April.

Nine players from last year’s winning team (Port Moresby Gold) have been named in this very experienced side.

Four from the Port Moresby’s second team known as Pom Black have graduated into the reigning queen’s quest to successfully defend the title for the sixth time.

Hurler Natalie Petalie, Siloru Zale, Addie Tamti, Dessie Loniu, Antonia Kinit, Lisa Polum, Nadia Bais, Georgina Mautu and Joyce Inguba have again impressed the selectors again.

Hennie Warpin, Caroline Moeder Florence Daple and Tessa Karai join the team after leading Port Moresby Black (2) to the New Ireland championships last year while those making a comeback include Jenny Pilak, Mechtil Raymond, Jessica Tonga, Erica Bob, Nicky Simba, Tessie Komek and Margaret ToBolton.

POMSA selectors headed by Mary Pinoon have also named a third side which is considered a development squad comprising mostly young up and coming players.

Pom Black: Kinit, Inguba, Bais, Polum (Bears), Loniu, Bob (Chebu), Raymond, Tonga, Pilak, Natasha Pilak (Gazelle), Leno Simba, Nicky Simba, Selina Karai, Tessa Karai (Stingerz), Daple, Mautu, Petali, Komek (United), Tamti (Wantoks), Warpin, Manning, ToBolton (Wolves), Zale and Moeder (Yokomo). Coach John Joseph, assist Titus Kambiu and team manageress Rose Mohe.

Pom Gold: Francine Malum, Talitha Tarasomo, Quandalyne Vinim (Bears), Kate Uvia, Hazel Schulz, Encie Simitab, Lois Garenah (Chebu), Talitha Pondriket, Sylvia Mago (Gazelle), Debbie Kiriwi, Dulcie Simba, Helen Gebore (Stingerz), Claire Wutt, Priscilla Mocke, Besmath Xkenjik, Milcah Xkenjik (United), Margaret Parom, Elly Arek (Wantoks), Carol Apelis, Anita Kisokau (Wolves) Rosewita Ire, Esther Xkenjik and Leonie Wyatt (Yokomo). Coach Suluet Tarasomo, assist Kolish Banam and manageress Bernadette Uruna.

Pom White: Francisca Kinit, Monique Waiwai, Tanisha Soweni (Bears), Christine Raphael, Fransisca Raphael, Celestine Kulutum, Elisi Raphael (Admiralty), Melanie Maloney, Ruth Aaron, Cassandra Gahakave (Chebu), Grace Joe, Jaura Uradok, Georgina Okole, Elizabeth Rihatta (Stingerz), Salome Vailala, Getrude Vailala (United), Winifred Marika, Loamin Marika, Maybeline Gaius (Wantoks), Mathilda Pagal, Rangan Ropa, Joyceline Paon, Ellie Boka, Delina Kipma, Rosalie Apelis (Wolves) and Dasley Kipo (Yokomo). Coach Silas Zale, assist Roddie Soweni and manageress Nancy Palin.