Tulapi-led Veupunama beat arch-rivals Kamuna to bag fourth straight title

VEUPUNAMA beat Kamuna 21-17 to win the premier-mixed title for the fourth straight season in the Papua New Guinea Mixed and Men’s Netball Association competition.
PNG Pepe Jeperth Tulapi was named the most valuable player in Sunday’s grand final, which association president Adam Parker hailed as the “best in our short history”.
“It showed that the development of all players has exceeded our expectations,” he said in a statement.
“The game saw some of the best male and female players in the country go head to head and it didn’t disappoint.
“There was some exceptional defence from both teams and skilled transition of the ball through the centre court.
“However, it was the shooting of Veupunama that saw them stop a late surge from Kamuna to take the game by the closest of margins and win their fourth straight title.”
The day started with the Mixed-B grand final which saw PNG Electoral Commission beat Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited 30-27 at the Rita Flynn Indoor Complex.
In the Mixed-A grand final, the lead changed a number of times before Mirupasi Lawyers hit the front and went on to beat Scal Shahus 29-26.
The men’s grand final saw Veupunama and Kamuna live up to expectation. Both teams controlled possession evenly throughout the game but in the end, it was Veupunama shooters who proved the difference to secure a 20-10 victory.
In the Mixed-C grand final, Beverly English played a starring role to help Tana beat Magic 26-24.