Paramana claim city netball title

By HUXLEY LOVAI
PARAMANA beat the Mermaids 46-41 in a thrilling Port Moresby Netball Association grand final on Saturday at the Rita Flynn Indoor Netball Complex.
The women in black held their nerve to see off a great challenge from the Snax-sponsored Mermaids.
Paramana shooter Marie Ottio was instrumental in leading her team to victory as their mid-court, led by captain Gasi Moka, centre Sheena Dringo and Renagi Mulina, supplied Ottio with accurate long passes into the goal circle.
The Mermaids mid-court and defenders seemed to have no answers for Paramana’s direct approach as they controlled the flow of the game over the final two quarters.
This was despite starting the game on the back foot in the first quarter as the Mermaids took a 13-9 lead.
The lead changed hands over the course of play up to halftime but the Mermaids, who had a handy five-goal lead, faded in the second-half, giving up their advantage and went on to lose by that margin.
Paramana’s never-say-die attitude was exemplified by shooters Ottio and Kula Iamo, who kept their cool to convert their attempts in the goal circle.
The Mermaids mid-court of centre Kila Leka, captain Nancy Kapi and Eloise Vele kept their team in the fight with their movement and passing, suppling their shooters Rayleen Andrew and Jeperth Tulapi.
But the Mermaids shooting pair had to contend with some tenacious defending by Paramana’s Renagi Ila and Ravu Raula, who were superb in their job and made the opposition shooters work hard for every point.
Despite a late surge by the Mermaids, who came within three points of Paramana at one stage in second-half of the last quarter, the margin proved too great for the valiant Mermaids.