Telstars force draw

By JACK AMI
A GALLANT Telstars forced a 43-43 draw with reigning premiers Sparrows in the Port Moresby Netball Association premier division season opener at the Rita Flynn Indoor Complex at Bisini on Saturday.
The youthful Telstars rose to the challenge with a strong third quarter and could have have notched a win had it not been for costly errors in the final quarter.
Sparrows regrouped in the final frame hitting three consecutive goals to draw level in a torrid exchange to end the game.
The match-up went down to the wire with Telstars chasing the premiers at halftime training 25-20 as their enthusiam was dulled by a high errors count and unneccessary turnovers.
Telstars coach Toka Aua shifted goal attack Boio Peter to to a defending position and put Ravusiro Vali to support young Evanelliah Aua in the shooting circle which proved the right tactic.
The Telstars took a 31-30 at the end of the third quarter and looked set to continue the momentum in the fourth.
Sparrows centre Atahalia Kiki managed to keep national representative Nerrie Adula from dominating possession.
Sparrows veteran Kilala Owen and Courtney Abel on the defence and captain Gamini Koroka, Vali and Albertine Kabaru had strong final quarters.