Eliminator called off

By HENRY MORABANG
PORT Moresby men’s A grade elimination final between Bears and Mantarays was called off for safety reasons due to heavy rain at Bisini softball diamonds yesterday afternoon.
The games were called off at the completion of the second inning where Bears were leading 7-6.
The game will resume at an appropriate time at top of the third inning to determine the winner of the match.
The losers will hang up the gloves while the winner takes on Dolphins in another do-or-die match.
The preliminary final between reigning champions PNG Power and Dolphins provided fans with exciting but intense play.
Dolphins had the game in the bag when David Upaupa slid home in the top of the third inning to take the lead 3-2.
However, it was two home runs by Tovia brothers, Isikel Jr and  Danny that pulled back the game for the champions.
Power will now play United Brothers this weekend to see who book the first grand final spot.
Meanwhile, POMMSA has announced two squads for the upcoming 36th National Gaming Control Board Softball Championships in Goroka over the Easter weekend.
The defending champions, POM Melonas under the guidance of Isikel Tovia have retained the bulk of the players from the last championships which include his three sons, Danny, Isikel Jr and Tovia and Dimick Worsley – all from PNG Power.
Other members of the squad include Dick Bart Jr, Jacob Niggins, Jollam Jerry, Gerrol Pokanau (United Brothers), Michael Parum (Dolphins), Paul Bogan, Ora Gime, Saga Gime (Mantarays), Bobby Bais, Sam Malum (Bears), Raymond Diou (Defence), Tony Karani and Francis Tony (Gazelle).
Tovia is the coach while the managers are Jacob Taule and Simon Sabu.
The second team from Port Moresby (NCD Meros) includes Ricky Mesak, Kepas Momo (Dolphins), Samuel Ropa, Glen Niggins, Kamu Vailala (United Brothers), Steven Polum, Eugene ToVue (PNG Power), Johnny Keleu, Malcolm Kolimus (Bears), Lawrence Bunbun, Colin Mangot (Brown Eagles), Andrew Karai, Eddie Maip, Moses Airie (Stingerz) Junior Kuwoh (Mantarays) and Bernard Pepe (Defence)
The team management is Tony Daple as coach while the managers are Cleland Tukana and Sebastine Isu.