Veupunama beat rebuilding Rebels

VEUPUNAMA beat CPL Rebels 49-46 in their Round 4 Port Moresby Netball Association premier division game at the Rita Flynn courts on Saturday.
Shooter Daisy Vali was outstanding in the circle and chalked up the vital points particularly over the second half to help her side notch its first win.
Defender Rata Takau also featured prominently keeping Rebels front court honest.
Veupunama’s Barbara Arivusu said it was a well-deserved win which they worked hard for.
“We’re happy after getting our first win,” Arivusu said.
“We’ve been trying hard over the opening rounds to get our combinations right so it’s good we got the win.”
Rebels took a 13-11 lead in the first quarter but gave up a slender 21-20 lead at halftime.
Veupunama managed to stay ahead 38-36 at the end of the third quarter.
Veupunama coach Margaret Opina had her best out on court in the final frame with her daughter former Pepe Alurigo Opina organising the mid-court and Arivusu leading up front.
Rebels wing-attack Laura Logano, Rachael Koivi and Emily Koivi as well as Roselyn Suckling kept up the pressure on their opponents until the final whistle.
Rebels coach Oti Sarufa said she was satisfied with the effort despite not getting the win.
“We’ve got a lot of work to develop the young players promoted to the premier division but credit to all the girls for putting up a good fight to the end,” Sarufa said.