NSLTame Competition Leaders in PCNC Round 1 Closer

As the saying goes, you make the best of what chances life springs on you and it was Nabawan Supa who were the ones to seize the opportunity on Sunday in what was a rather sluggish match, to remind competition leaders Brian Bell, that luck works both ways.

Brian Bell, who were clear competition leaders going into this game were quick off the mark, scoring first to set the tone for the match, but in a display of dogged determination, the NSL ladies stuck to their guns, soaking up the pressure and then responding with some of their own curry especially in the second half.  Hustling the Brian Bell offense in the second stanza they quickly capitalised on a number of turnovers and fed a strong attack at the canteen end of the courts.  In front of their own cheering squad the NSL Shooter/Goal Attack combination proved lethal.

NSL (maroon) in action against Brian Bell (blue and yellow) in yesterday's main game

A happy post game NSL camp

Punching the air and jubilant at the final hooter they knew they had done a great service to their finals chances and having edged out the competition leader 22 - 20, the NSL ladies also knew they had left their mark on the competition.  In the second half, Myley Kula and Peiru Digori were lethal in the shooting circle racking up excellent shooting averages and frustrating the Brian Bell mid-court and defenders into unforced errors and costly turnovers.  This is not to say Brian Bell didn't play well, on the contrary they played an excellent game, it just meant NSL played a touch better and deserved that win.

The win by NSL now bunches the middle order of the premier division further, with only two points separating BSP, NSL and Air Niugini in 3rd, 4th and 5th place.  Two points separate 3rd placed BSP and Brian Bell, the current premier division leader and Fairdeal Liquors, in second place is sandwiched by one point between Brian Bell and BSP.

IPA's 21 - 11 loss to BSP means they slip slightly on the ladder but maintain a point advantage on Westpac who also lost on Sunday to a high flying Air Niugini outfit, 27 - 24.  The win for NSL and Air Niugini ensure they share 11 points each on the ladder, 2 points clear of IPA.

 

BSP (green) did well to hold out an enthusastic IPA side (maroon and gold)

  

Air Niugini (dark green) enjoyed their win against Westpac (red and white)

 

  

Daltron (red and white) still struggle in the premier division

Daltron, without a win this round, languishes at the bottom of the division but with the quality of players they have on their team list, it won't be long until you see them piece the player combination puzzle together and make us all sit up and pay attention.  It's written all over them, it just hasn't been able to bubble through yet.  Keep at it girls, you'll surprise us all and yourselves very very soon.  We're sure of it.

In other divisions the results were just as interesting as round 1 winds down.

Datec and Fincorp could change places in Division 1 after Sunday's result with 4th placed Datec beating 3rd placed Fincorp comfortably.  Fincorp for their part have lost five key players in the last two months with the possibility of a further casualty in the the coming weeks.  Though it doesn't sound promising, Fincorp are still a good side and needs only to get some fluency in the combination of players it now has. Only the next several weeks will tell.

 

  

 

Also in division1 Kenmore newly found proficiency showed in their win over Pryde much to the delight of new coach Helen Launch.  Currently placed 5th, Kenmore may be the divisional dark horse and the confidence of the girls is certainly beginning to shine through as the team begins to gel as a playing unit.

In division 2, PNGFOC maintained it dominance beating off a lively challenge by SP Brewery  and Kina struggled to maintain LBC.

In division 6, TCS were again rampant with a polished display over Esco who are also no easy beats and a change in uniform colors from blue and orange to a smart green and yellow combination seemed to do the trick for Western Power in their win over Pacific Industries.

This weekend is a rest weekend for divisions 1 - 4. There will be catch up games in the lower dvision played for divisions 5 - 10 and the season will then pick up the following week with the commencement of round 2 for all divisions.  A fresh ladder and draws will be posted as they come to hand so keep logging on folks.

For those looking for images from last weekends games, they should be posted Wednesday morning.

For those browsing the site, we would love to hear your comments and sugestions so please do not be afraid to write something in the comment segment at the foot of evvery article.  You can write anonymously if you wish as there is a provision for it.

Thank you all for your patronage and support and we hope we have been of service to you.

Just a reminder to all that the PSNA semi finals are being played this Saturday morning at Bisini and I'm sure they would love to see your support for their netball comp.   Telikom and Finance will battle for the right to play the National Fisheries Authority in the grand final the following week so it is expected to be a real Bobby dazzler of a game. 

Keep safe and we'll see you again next time at the courts.



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