Mermaids stun fancied Sparrows

Normal, Sports
Source:

The National, Monday 6th May 2013

 By KYMLIE KARANI

THE Snax Mermaids came back to surprise the Sparrows 53-37 in the Port Moresby Netball competition’s premier division match on Saturday at the Rita Flynn Netball courts.

It was an outstanding comeback by the Mermaids, who had been trailing in the first quarter 12-5 in round one of the POMNA season proper.

The Mermaids, who contained a bunch of national representatives in the likes of Marypaul Beurlher, Richandah Kassman and Tau Galewa, made sure their challengers did not get away.

Sparrows stayed ahead despite having no reserves and managed all their shots in the key hole, with a good combination of shooters Jacklyn Lahari and Dianne Kala-Lahari.

The Sparrows lead 12-5 in the first quarter but the Mermaids stopped them from advancing from the second quarter right through to the end of the game.

Sparrows’ playmaker in the midcourt, Alurigo Opina was on fire, creating options for her shooters but th4ey could not get past the aggressive Mermaids defenders in Nancy Kapi and Galewa.

Mermaids, under coach Pole Kassman, maintained the lead right through, eventually beating the Sparrows 53-37.

In the other premier matches, CPL Rebels thrashed Aroma Coast 52-21, Paramana beat Veupunama 23-12 while the Esco Telstars defeated Raukele on forfeit due to Raukele’s no-show.