Division 2
PNG Power 23 - Department of Labour 20
After 4 years in division 2, 2010 was the year that held the most prospect for PNG Power to finally taste the wonderful nectar of victory and hold aloft divisional championship and what a show they gave us. Melveen Raga too, had kept good her promise and the Department of Labour heavies had come out in force to witness the occasion. Win or lose, the Department of Labour was going to show us some good netball and you know what, that is exactly what they did.
The start of this game was like a starter's gun going off for the 100 meter relay and Labour showed they meant business scoring the first net of the game. It was the most intense start to a game of all the games so far, so we all knew we were in for a cracker of game.
The score was evenly poised throughout the first half and at half time the score was a close 11 - 10 with Labour holding the advantage and the cracks in the Power defence were showing up as young Nancy David's accuracy near the hoop shone through. The combination with her and mother Pulina at GA, was working well and keeping Power's Wari Livingstone busy near the hoop.
It was a short period mid second half that Power seemed to click into gear and find form both in defence and attack and the chatter, especially between the attacking four spilled over into a new found confidence. In that short period, Power racked up five unanswered nets and writing began to appear on the wall.
This final was played at a frantic pace right from the whistle
(above) After 4 years, PNG Power were ecstatic to
sample the sweet taste of victory.
To their credit, Labour lifted their game intensity to shut down the Powers attack but it was catch up from then on. With such short halves to this social form of the game the score was impossible to chase down. The final score PNG Power, Champions after four years of trying, 23 beating a very impressive Department of Labour 20.
Melveen Raga in particular has to be commended for making sure the upper echelon of the Department of Labour were there, including Secretary Tibu, Deputy Secretary Donald Lumen, Workers Compensation Chief Commissioner Mrs Mary Morola, Regional Managers, David Ninewale, Thomas Tape and Frank Otio and other senior offices were there to enjoy the day and watch a wonderful grand final series.
At the DLIR tent, (seated from left) Secretary Tibu, WC Commissioner Mary Morola
Deputy Secretary Lumen. Regional Manager Islands,
Frank Otio (standing hehind Secretary Tibu) and Momase, David Ninawale
(seated behind D-Sec Lumen)
Well after the courts were vacated, the Department of Labour tent and was seen still up and enjoying the afternoon at the courts.
The afternoon however belonged to PNG Power and so a sterling congratulations must go to the ladies at PNG Power, to coach Eau Avosa and captain Wari Livingstone who were very cool under the circumstances and perhaps knew they had the game when the little things began to click together for the girls.
Congratulations PNG Power and enjoy your win.
As a footnote, our collective thoughts are with PNG Power Captain, Wari Livingstone, who's husbands grandmother passed last week and then during the game on Saturday she received word her own grandmother had also passed. On behalf of the netball community we pass on our condolences to both her and her husbands families.
Division 1
Department of Works 19 - Ombudsmen Commission 17
It seemed like it was a good omen for the Works team, the rains had eased up, the new uniforms added new colour to the side, their little bivouac at the Holiday Inn for the night had given the girls real lift in spirits and the side seemed relaxed about taking the court.
The Eagles on the other hand looked somewhat perplexed and coach Renagi Dringo was doing all she could to relax them so much so they missed their photo session on court 3.
This was the stepping stone to the premier division so win or lose they were looking at starting the new season as the new kids on teh block in the highest division in the PSNA. If that's a tense build up to the game its shouldn't because they had gotten their on the back of some excellent netball, their tenacity and a strong belief in themselves and they should be congratulated anyway.
To say Ombudsmen were slow out of the blocks is an understatement as things just were not happening for what was a highly disciplined side. Communication among the players just wasn't there from the week before and the mid court just could not find a channel to feed their attack and when it did get there the accuracy which underpinned the last two weeks effort seemed to have left them. By the time they had found some sort of rhythm, Works had scooted to a 7 net lead. In total contrast, Boi Soge, Kimberley Alex and veteran Davera Guru were having a field day near the hoop.
(above) Works in their new black and yellow uniforms
and Ombudsmen in green in centre court.
OC Eagles did find their rhythm and to their credit clawed the score back to a respectable 12 - 7 scoreline at half time.
The second half saw a much more determined Eagles team and the recovery started, again it only takes a favourable call at the right time to get things rolling and for a short stanza, the young Ombudsman cavalry lead by a very capable attacking foursome. With a bit more determination they were able to haul in the deficit to only two nets. At one stage they were within one but Ati Rawali's charges were able to hold off the late charge and claiming the champions title for 2010.
The final score 19 - 17.
(above) The "winners tent" as Works celebrate their win
Works who were in a celebratory mood whether they won or lost were excellent ambassadors of netball on the day and so we pause to say, Congratulations to Works for well deserved win.
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