Sisters make it five straight

By JACK AMI
UNITED Sisters captured their fifth consecutive premiership after holding out the Bears 5-3 in the Port Moresby women’s softball grand final at the Bisini Diamonds on Saturday.
The win did not come easy as Sisters were made to work for the title by a young Bears side who kept piling on the pressure.
However, the Bears unfortunately failed to convert enough pressure to dethrone the undisputed queens of Port Moresby softball.
The big-game experience of the Sisters in mother and daughter combination of Selina and Tessa Karai caused headaches for their opposition.
This was complemented by strong support from captain Georgina Mautu, Priscilla Mocke, Florence Daple, Netty Horris and Helen Gebore who showed some quality batting and fielding to tame the Bears.
Bears young pitcher Carol Apelis and catcher Francisca Kinit started off well, but failed to contain the Sisters sluggers.
The Bears established a 2-0 lead at the bottom of the first inning through by Carol Apelis and Joyce Inguba following outfield errors.
However, Sisters were rewarded after Netty Olare reduced the score to 2-1.
Both sides were scoreless in the third and fourth innings as a result of good fielding and pitching.
But pressure mounted in the top of the fifth and sixth innings, with Sisters Tessa Karai and Priscilla Mocke adding another two at the plate.
Fielding errors enabled Nutty Horris and Tessa Komar to push ahead 5-2.
At the top of seventh inning, Inguba crossed over to reduce the score line 5-3.
Sisters assistant coach Steven Polum said it was discipline and commitment that brought them home.
Captain Georgina Mautu said it was a test for them when Bears went 2- 0 up, but they pulled themselves together to come back and snatch the victory.
The oldest player on the diamonds, Selina was the woman of the moment as her big-game experience secured her third premiership with Sisters after departing the Stingerz with Tessa.
“I’m still going strong to keep on playing,” she said.
“Retirement can wait since I’m still playing well at 51 years of age.”
Meanwhile, in the B grade division, Snax Gazelle beat Stingerz 11-2.