Mermaids out to wash down Rebels

 By HUXLEY LOVAI
Competition leaders Mermaids take on fourth-placed Rebels in the game-of-the-round in this weekend’s Port Moresby Netball Association’s premier division.
After a recess for the Queen’s Birthday weekend, it will be business-as-usual for netballers this Saturday in round 12.
Mermaids are on top of the premier division competition ladder with 31 points, four clear of second-placed Sparrows, who are on 27.
Paramana are on 27 points but are behind Sparrows, who have a superior point difference.
Rounding off the top-four are Rebels, who have 25 points.
In the round five meeting between the teams earlier this year, Mermaids beat Rebels 58-46.
Since then both teams have had differing fortunes, with the Mermaids climbing up the ladder as a result of some outstanding performances.
Despite boasting a squad consisting of PNG Pepes’ Serina Ovia and sisters Lua Rikis and Winnie Marava, Rebels have failed to find consistency, losing games to other teams in the top-four.
However Rebels have enough quality and experienced players to see them through this rough patch.
The Mermaids so far this season have been the team that has set the pace for the rest to follow.
From the shooters to the goal-keeper, everyone on court do the basics right and give their-all for the team. Mermaids have current and former PNG representatives Nancy Kapi, Tau Galewa, Japhet Tulapi and Rayleen Andrew.