Telstars improve with draw

Sports

THE Telstars netball team in Tier One of the Port Moresby Netball Association’s premier division recorded their best result in the competition last week forcing a 34-34 draw against second-placed Sparrows during their round three match.
The young Telstars outfit have yet to win a game this season in Tier One, but last week’s result was their most encouraging yet as the team displayed great composure and determination as they were able to match their more experienced opponents.
Former PNG Pepes and Telstars captain Mona-Lisa Leka told The National that the team has turned a corner in terms of belief in their own ability to compete in the re-vamped POMNA competition. This year the club has seen a change of the guard with a number of senior players stepping down making way for a host of young players.
Leka praised the efforts of their young defenders who kept their team in the contest.
“Our defence was just phenomenal, that is what kept us in the game,” Leka said.
“Young Boio Peter and Elizabeth Pina played extraordinarily well with their anticipation of play and their grittiness on court.  “The young girls have really stepped up. Ravusiro Vali coming on to shoot and Naolyn Enara in the middle just played a blinder tonight.” Leka, who is also an assistant coach for the team, stated that it was their attack that let them down in the end.
“We had more turnovers than our opponents tonight, but we didn’t convert. We were just managing to stay with the Sparrows,” Leka said
Telsters will take on Tier One leaders Mermaids tomorrow night in the POMNA premier division.