Port Moresby Netball newcomers stun Veupunama

By MICHAEL PHILIP
PORT Moresby Netball newcomers Haidana Lighting edged Veupuanama 47-46 in the upset of the weekend at the Rita Flynn courts over the weekend.
The experienced trio of Ravu Noka, Barbara Arivusu and Tina Poha for the Veupunama set a the groundwork for good performance but Lightning had some great efforts from Goloa Ovoa, Talmay Tapea and Lani Kapa to keep their side in the contest and eventually clinch a well-earned victory.
“The girls did very well, executing all our game structure,” Haidana head coach Annie Iamo told The National.
“Our game plan was to go out there and take care of the ball which we did. With the help of Ovoa, who is the current Pepes shooter, I think it really boosted our performance.
“I wanted the girls to play around her, so I think the girls listened and did very well putting to practice the instructions, and that’s how we came out with a close win.
“There are great side and of course the best in the competition and beating them is a motivation for us to dig deeper going forward.”
Iamo said despite being a newly established side and in their first season in the city competition they were playing with no fear and little pressure.
“This is our first year in the competition and I think we have some expectations but the pressure is on the more established teams so we’ll use that to play our game and see how far we can go.
“Upsetting the top team is a confidence boost for us. Our attack and defence need work but this result gives us confidence. If we keep improving in these areas we will continue to upset teams in the remaining rounds.”
In the other premier division matches, Telstars upset Rebels 52-23 and Sparrows defeated Mermaids 38-29.