Rawa Rau, Marlins win titles

By LESLIE OMARO
RAWA Rau and Marlins were crowned champions of the Ano Pala soccer and netball tournament at Kalo village last Saturday.
Rawa Rau bagged K3,500 for claiming the soccer title while Marlins received K2,000 for winning the netball crown.
In the soccer grand final, Rawa Rau came from behind to sink Sharks 2-1 with two-goal hero Kala Rawali blasting home the winner in extra-time.
Sharks were first to score in the first half when Bevan Kila collected a loose ball outside the penalty box and chipped it over the goalkeeper to lead 1-0.
Playing under heavy rain at the Kalo cricket oval, Rawa Rau were denied two goals but kept on pushing until Rawali got them on the score board just before half-time.
The scores remained unchanged in the second half despite several goal opportunities from each side.
It was during extra-time when Rawa Rau started to dictate play and control their passes superbly that saw Rawali threatening the opponents’ target.
And it was in the last three minutes of extra time when Rawali read a clever play inside Sharks’ territory.
He collected the ball and controlled it well before sending it past the goalkeeper for the winner.
In the netball final, Marlins had to overcome Kwalito Manu 20-18 in heavy rain to take out the crown.
It was goal attack Keto Kini who inspired Marlins victory when they came from behind to take an 11-10 lead at half-time.
Kini, who scored 18 points was assisted by Imelda Rogana who scored only two points.
Kwalito Manu’s goal shooter Mea Pariva who scored 13 points and goal shooter Siale Kawai assisted with five points were also equal to the task.
But Marlins evergreen goal defender Vavine Kila’s defence prevented Pariva and Kawai from scoring more points.
In the other results, Poti Kele defeated Kunika 1-0 in the oldies soccer grand final with Kini Kwaipo scoring the winning goal.
In the playoff for third, Kwalito beat last year’s winners Reagolo 2-0 courtesy of goals to Kolu Kepo and Simon Solo.
The playoff for third in netball saw Sharks beating Lomax 19-15.