Works pip broadcaster in decider

By JACK AMI

TACTICAL positional changes in the second half was the magic Works needed to eventually claw  their way to victory for the Public Servants Netball premiership title in the premier division on Saturday.

The Department of Works upset minor premiers MedComm National Broadcasting Commission 26-24 in the grand final at the Rita Flynn courts to lift the major crown.

Works veteran player Ati Rawali made the crucial changes in the second half with Lama Lua shifted from goal shooter to goal defence and Kevau Oakaiva to goal keeper.

Rawali took off the centre’s bib to move to goal shooter, allowing Betty Eric to work her magic from centre and then the desired result started to come together.

The move was necessary as at half-time as the scores were locked at 13-13 and Works’ attack and defence were not operating in tandem. 

The changes produced the desired effect as goal attack Kimberley Alex combined with mother Ati – to nail the points that Works needed to increase the gap in scores.

Alex was in devastating form, scoring 22 points altogether – 13 of which she landed in the second half when her mother fed her the balls.

However, it was a great team effort as the mid-court of centre Betty Eric, wing attack Dika Vai and wing defence Varoka Buruka kept the pressure on NBC. Defenders Lua and Oakaiva also played their part in the opposition’s shooting circle thwarting NBC’s efforts with persistent defence. NBC sorely missed the service of young shooter/defender Stephanie Raepa. Shooters Lucy John (13) and Sophie Yaruso (11) played their hearts out but unfortunately managed only 11 points in the second half. 

The mid-court of Emma John (WA), Kila Boga (C), Olive Ume (WD) did not click as expected in the second half while defenders Rachel Kila and Genevieve Ume struggled to stem the scoring from Works’ mother and daughter combination.