Moresby crowned national women’s hockey champions

By PARKER TAMBUA
PORT Moresby Grey were crowned the champions after defeating Port Moresby Whites 2-0 in the national women’s hockey championship final at the Sir John Guise Stadium yesterday.
After finishing first in their round-robin matches, Grey came into the final on a roll and proved to strong for Whites.
Grey didn’t hesitate when they came out firing and scored a goal in the 2nd minute of the opening quarter through some individual brilliance from Maryanne Kiapen which saw them leading 1-0.
The second and third quarters were intense with both sides battling it out for possession all over the paddock.
The experience of Lola Ilumpui and Jullianne Naron kept Whites in the game with strong defence but they could not find an equaliser.
Grey’s scrambling defence came at a costs with Benita Benson, Mary Hebei, Kiapen and Davina Ilumpui given green cards for minor offences.
However, Grey hung on to their lead until they put the game beyond doubt when Marry Hebei scored after some impressive set-up play by her teammates in the dying stages of the final quarter.
Grey claimed gold and Whites bagged silver.
In the earlier match, Port Moresby Gold beat West New Britain 1-0 to take bronze.
Meanwhile, Port Moresby Grey defeated East New Britain 2-1 in the men’s bronze playoff.