Sparrows claim Lae netball prize

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The National, Monday July 29th, 2013

 By LARRY ANDREW

PACIFIC MMI Sparrows broke a three-year hoodoo to claim the their first title in Lae Netball Association (LNA) grand final beating defending champions DSA Sisters 29-27 at Sir Ignatius Kilage indoor stadium on Saturday.

In the first grand final game between DSA Sisters and Riback Friends, the Sisters had a last laugh beating a youthful Friends 25-20 to claim the A division flag.

The main fixture of the afternoon between Sparrows and Sisters was a test of speed and accuracy that saw both teams exchanging goals and by the end of first quarter Sisters were leading 6-5. 

They held on to the lead despite a strong comeback from a Nettie Sau-led Sparrows but Sister’s defenders Yanam Hopping and Salomen Songake managed to keep a lid on Sparrows.

The second stanza was anybody’s game as Sparrows Rova Ravu and Anita Padio coordinated their game in midcourt to feed their goal shooters however the determination from Sisters’ Betty Asi and Stacy Alu, to feed Jenny Magatu and Yatap Philemon kept fans on their toes until the final whistle.

Sparrow’s president Paul Uru was lost for words but saluted his girls for the victory. 

Sisters mentor Shirley Lung lauded her team for their courage to stay in contention but rued some crucial errors that set them back.