Housing Corp edge national bankers

 NATIONAL Housing Corporation beat Bank of Papua New Guinea team one 18-17 in a close match in the Public Servants Netball competition at the Rita Flynn outdoor courts on Saturday.

The division one teams played the reamining round one fixtures of the competition which had not be completed before the festive break last month.

NHC raced away to an early advantage as they took the lead from the opening minutes of the match to score the first goals with BPNG goal defender Vicky Gena and goal keeper Maggie Ume trying to contain their opponents.

Despite the lead, BPNG’s coordination through centre Theresia Joseph, wing attack Kila Vini, goal attack Alu Geberi and goal shooter Evelyn Leusing saw them fight back to even the score 8-8 at halftime.

The second half started with BPNG dominating the game with seven goals but Leusing could have had more goals.

NHC capitalised on that opportunity as they stepped up their defence to cut the margin to six goals. 

Housing centre Cathy Cooke, wing attack Delly Raepom, and goal attack Irau Alu put in a concerted effort to wrest back control of the game with  Alu netting valuable goals to take her side to victory.

BPNG pulled out all stops in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter but could not manage the eaqualising goal. 

Being the first round after the Christmas and New Year break a raft of forfietures occured:  Media Communication forfeited National Fisheries Authority and PNG Sports Foundation; Works forfeited PNG Power and PNGOC forfeited PNG Sports Foundation.

PSNC match committee chairperson Gillian Ole said with Saturday’s matches, many teams were forfeited because some their members were still on holidays.

She said she expected the teams to have their full complement of players by the weekend.

All matches were played on the out-door courts but the earlier rounds of the competition were staged in the complex. The competition continues on Saturday with round two games.