Leka inspires Telstars to victory in capital netball

ESCO Telstars captain Mona-Lisa Leka inspired the defending champions against a determined Monier Paramana in the final quarter on Saturday to retain the Port Moresby Netball title by a close 35-30, in the grand final.
Leka completed the day with a total tally of 22 points, with six points in the final quarters, for her team to reclaim the title.
The champions, missing regular goal shooter Gamini Koroka, resorted to a bit of mongrel ring attack in Toka Kini-Aua shooting and Leka herself at attack, against the defence of Marie Ottio and Ravu Raula in the first quarter, leading at first break 10-4.
The second quarter came to a closer 9-8, via clear strategy from Paramana, with Ottio switching to goal attack.
The women in black continued the pressure into the third quarter and claimed the third quarter 9-7, and turned it up for a tight tussle in the final quarter.
Elusive Telstars centre Nape Waka and Emily Maha stood out to the end, restricting Paramana possession alongside their captain, but not without a fight, from Vavine Iamo and Rakara Raula.
Ottio and Geua Raula kept the champions under pressure with some sharp shooting taking them to within a point towards fulltime, but it was the inspiration of Leka at the other end that kept the score ticking for the reds for the final score.
Paramana took it to the seasoned champions, all day long, however it was the aggression and the flair of their oppositions’ midfield that denied them the edge.
The other earlier results of the day saw the Esco colours again fly high in the U21, beating Snax Mermaids 19-14, Kapuna Rau going down to Oro Birdwing 20-21 in a fiery contest in Division Three, Treasury edging Poinimo 34-33 after extra time in Division Two, and Kapuna Rau again outclassing Veupunama 24-17 in Division One.