Moni Plus upset Bears in women’s softball pre-season finals

MONI Plus Gazelle upset favourites Bears with a 10-5 victory in the Port Moresby Women’s Softball Association pre-season final at the Bisini Diamonds yesterday.
Gazelle bagged the Nancy Kamara Cup and K1,000 while Bears settled for K500.
Comprising B-Grade players and seniors Navasha Pilak and Matilda Pondriket, Gazelle outplayed the mighty Bears, who had a number of experienced campaigners.
At the top of the first inning, Gazelle collected runs through Mistil Derry, Pilak, Naomi Totil, Sharon Pamel, Damarish Balanga, Carol Tecys and Karlyne Pukakia to lead 7-0.
However, Bears replied with three runs of their own through Joyce Inguba, Betty Wamala and Rose Apelis to trail 3-7 at the bottom of the first inning.
Gazelle picked up more runs through Balanga, Tecys and Pilak while Bears bagged two through Francisca Kinit and Carol Apelis. Bears had big guns Nadia Bais and Inguba but the pair were not supported well. Gazelle coaches Albert Jerry and Trevor Cain said the players deserved the win as they fielded well especially in the bottom of the third inning when the scores were 10-5.
It was the pitcher-and-catcher combination of Pilak and Pondriket that made the big difference in the end.