Pepes win opener

THE Papua New Guinea Pepes (netball) thrashed Samoa 116-10 in their Pacific Games opener in Apia, Samoa, yesterday.
The 106-point margin indicates PNG’s gold-medal chances.
With Pacific Games netball champions Fiji attending the World Cup in Liverpool, England, this is great opportunity for PNG to claim gold ahead of the Cook Islands and Samoa.
The Pepes were smart and played fast-attacking netball to set the tone for the win.
They gelled very well and toyed with the opposition from the start to the end, establishing hefty margins in all quarters.
It was 87-7 in the third quarter with the Pepes hold an 80-point lead.
PNG, with the likes of Nancy Alu and Boio Peter, enjoyed every moment of the match, piling on points at will.
Debutant sisters Isabelle Roakeina and Waisame Andrew, Tau Galewa, Courtney Abel, Serena Ovia performed well against their opposition.
However, there must be no complacency when it comes to the crunch matches as they look to secure gold.
The Pepes, who are coached by Richandah Kassman and assisted by Oti Sarufa, should not underestimate their opponents in the event.