As we all rudely realised, round 2 kicked off on Sunday with most teams and players still getting over the week off.
"It seems like it's been a month" we could hear it being said as girls kitted up for their games and their condition reflected what they were saying.Some matches looked like they were being played in slow motion, but fear thee not, over the next few weeks the bug will will kick in and we'll see the fire burning in the belly once again.
But just as you get into some sort of rhythm, Easter comes along. So guess what, next week we bet you'll all be wondering what to do with your selves in the morning after the Easter egg hunt with the kids is over.
Before the games started last Sunday, PCNC President Hitolo Moka called a meeting of representatives to discuss issues raised during the course of round 1, a story which we'll provide to you after the executive have approved a draft, but safe to say, the concerns are legitimate and do work to improve the competition without defeating the purpose and original concept of the competition.
So how was game 1 of round 2 across the board? Very interesting would have to be the answer. Crazy even in some instances.
If you were a betting person you wouldn't want to try and predict the outcome of the premier division games, which is now an absolute mixed bag. You would have to be a really brave person to predict who will be there come finals time in seven weeks.
Even in division 7 there were interesting moments. SMEC's 19 - 14 win against Air Niugini place them on even points as the airliner and if they keep up the form they are in right now they may even have a chance for the final four. Meanwhile NPS's big win over Paradise Foods in the same division will give them an edge over Lamana who are the current leaders and had a bye on Sunday.
(above and below) SMEC's new found form brought home a
good win against Air Niugini 2
Results in other divisions were just as jumbled all attributable to the week-off, so they tell us. The biggest surprise was Fincorp who after a string of serious losses was able to grind out a one net win on Sunday against CPL1, 23 - 22. So, Dominic, could this be the great Fincorp resurgence we've been mulling over.
The Datec ladies finally put their swish new sky blue uniforms on display and almost pulled off a win against division leaders Veupunama 1. Veupu had to get into the spirit too, insisting on a photo opportunity before the game started. Typical!
The bright colour seemed to work wonders with the Datec ladies lifting their game for spectators. Veupu only managed to scoot away at the very end to beat the sky blue side by 16 - 11. At least now we won't confuse them with CPL.
(above) Presenting Datec's new absolutely swish uniform
Talking about uniforms, there are some absolutely spectacular outfits on the courts recently, from the smart white tunics of Higher Arctic Energy to the rainbow effect of Exxon Mobil. Paradise Foods bold white and red gear gives them a very polished look and for some reason, is an easy favourite of ours.
(above) Gordons International High School and
(below) Mirupasi Lawyers in their uniforms
(above) Paradise Foods have a red and white uniform very pleasing
to the eye
Gordons International School and Mirupasi in Division 5 use a smart system of green floral and color bands which have a very neat, coordinated and comfortable look and work well when identifying the teams. Then there are the striking standouts like Century 21, Second Time Around and Security Plus who's yellow and black combination are very difficult to distinguish at first glance. They differ only in the skirts and even then you have to look twice. It must be difficult if the teams are in the same division but as Margaret Sulia advises, where there is an issue, the use of bibs become obligatory.
We've heard on the grapevine that Coral Sea Hotels have a new set of uniforms on the way too so that should put another colour scheme into the mix very shortly.
While we're talking about Coral Sea Hotels, the netball gods much be smiling on them this week because they were able to produce a miracle win on Sunday, beating MRL playing while with only 4 and a half players. Four and a half because Endiopa Yama still has a crook knee and with two players not turning up, she had to play shooter without a goal attack or a wing attack. It was tough seeing her hobble through the motions at shooter, but as the game progressed and she got more confident, so did her accuracy. Believe it or not, Coral Sea won that game 13 - 5.
(above) Endiopa Yama worked some magic with her undermanned
Coral Sea Hotels side near the hoop
A wayward child wonders onto court 4 in the middle
of a Kina attack. It was Kapu Ravu (Kina GS on the right) who
gently moved the child off the court
In another surprise divisional leaders in Division 2, PNGFOC were finally toppled from their perch at the hands of Kina 1 who were looking very sharp on Sunday, even when a wayward child walked on the court in the middle of an assault on the PNGFOC net, first half shooter Kapu Ravu still had the presence of mind to gently pickup the child and place her out of harms way and return to the fray to score a net. Well done Kapu and well done Kina.
Kina 1 accounted for PNGFOC quite convincingly 21 - 14.
In the premier division, the wheels seem to have fallen off the Brian Bell cart when they faced off with Fairdeal Liquor for a second time in as many weeks. It is now back to back games that they have lost to Fairdeal and in the process have also lost the advantage they had as clear division leaders two weeks ago. This is pretty big deal for Carolyn Genaia and the Brian Bell team and you can bet they'll be having a real good look at how poorly they are playing.
(above) Brian Bell centre, Phyliss Kala looks to unload a pass in mid court.
Brian Bell seemed a little lost at the weekend, losing again to Fairdeal.
(above) Air Niugini's defence was the best we'd seen it this year
(above) Renagi Dringo and Vele Iamo in great form leading the BSP attack
Air Niugini have found form at the right time and were able to beat IPA in a very hard fought game in the last game of the day. With that they have to be one of the division favourites and certainly look like they are enjoying their netball. Westpac on the other hand has hit a real purple patch and has also suffered two big losses in as many games. Westpac just didn't have the money in the bank against BSP loosing 24- 10 to the green machine. They are still well clear of Daltron who had moments of brilliance in their match against NSL, but the superannuation ladies have a very balanced team and once they found their rythm, they just ran over the IT retailers.
In the other permier division game of the day, it looks like the home stretch march for BSP is on target so the next six weeks will really be interesting to watch
This weekends line up looks like another painful lesson is in store for Daltron as they battle with BSP but the real dust up we think will be in the PX v Brian Bell match at 2:45pm. Both teams need the win, firstly to give Brian Bell back their confidence and for Air Niugini, it will make a statement about their finals chances. It will be an interesting game.
(above) IPA looking very strong in premier division
Sparks should also fly in the Fairdeal v IPA game this weekend as IPA have lifted their game tempo quite high and just need to tweak the combinations to make their attack more fluid. This no doubt will convert to nets for them. Fairdeal will give them a real run for their money and as division leaders Fairdeal will not be run down easily. It will be a good test for Julianne Maliaki's attacking four.
Welcome to round 2 folks, looks like were in for quite a season of netball.
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