Sparrows through to netball grand final

Sports

By JACK AMI
SPARROWS will meet Telstars in the Port Moresby Netball Association premier grand final after the Credit Corporation-backed club beat Snax Mermaids 46-44 at the Rita Flynn Indoor Complex on Saturday.
Sparrows, who led all but one quarter (13-12, 22-19, 33-33 and 46-44), have two weeks to recharge and prepare for their Aug 31 showdown against minor premiers NAS Telstars.
Despite the lead changing hands on several occasions in the final quarter, the Julienne Leka-Maliaki coached Sparrows held their nerve to clinch the win.
It was a battle of the centres with Sparrows’ Nerrie Adula dueling with her younger Papua New Guinea Pepes teammate Waisame Andrew for dominance in the mid-court.
The experienced Adula was supported by defenders Courtney Abel and Kilala Owen. Their combination with Normalisa Dobunaba and Taori Lesieli paved the way for the Sparrows to gain the upper hand.
Mermaids shooters Jephert Tulapi and Rayleen Andrew were solid but lost their accuracy in the final five minutes.
Defenders Tau Galewa and Isabelle Andrew tried desperately to stop opposition shooters Mary Leka and Louisa Maliaki from netting points but their efforts were not enough as Sparrows pulled ahead.
Leka-Maliaki said Mermaids’ errors had allowed them to get on the front foot and maintain the upper hand until fulltime.
“We maintained our composure and our defenders restricted Mermaids from scoring at will,” she said.
“We were even in style but we came into the match off the back of some extra work in attack and defence.”