Youngster has stormer against Rebels

 SPARROWS Jepeth Tulapi turned in an eye-catching display on Saturday in the premier division match against CPL Rebels at the Rita Flynn Netball Courts.

The fifteen-year-old of Southern Highlands and Gulf parentage stunned spectators with her raw talent and aggression when she teamed up with Dianne Kala-Lahari to shoot their way through to a 33-22 victory over Rebels.

“Tulapi was outstanding and is in great form. She made the difference when she got on the court after we trailed by four points,” Sparrows coach and former international Julienne Leka-Maliaki said.

The dynamic shooter made her debut for the premier side and is also part of the U21 national train-on squad that is currently preparing for the World Youth Netball Championships in Scotland later in August and is a Pepe in the making.

Maliaki said a strong defensive game lead by current PNG Pepes’ Kilala Owen and Margaret Eka with wing Nerrie Adula kept Rebels from gaining any momentum on the board

Rebels fought back in the latter stages through Marinama Maha, Kila Rawali and Winnie Mavara but it was too little too late as Sparrows closed out the match.