by Vanessa Knight – EM TV Sport, Port Moresby
With Netball kicking off today, the PNG Pepes laid out an impressive performance, thrashing Solomon Islands 68 – 25 in the second game today, at the PNG Power Dome.
PNG led a strong start in the first and second quarter, keeping their opponents on their toes as they sailed to a confortable victory at fulltime.
In the third and fourth quarter a set of different combinations came into play for team PNG which resulted in a patchy performance.
PNG goal attacker, Lua Rikis, outshined Solomon defence and kept the balls sinking with her quick footwork, intercepts and fluid shooting, aided by midcourt stronghold Jacklyn Lahari.
Solomon Islands took advantage of PNG’s risky combinations in the latter quarter and picked up a notch, with outstanding performances with from crowd favourite Mulina at centre, who intercepted several passes from the opponents and owned the courts with her impressive stamina.
However, even with great shooting and a few impressive moves from goal shooter Yamana, the visiting team needed more in terms of recovery to close in on the margin set by the Pepes.
The PNG lasses who were too good with their rebounds and ball recovery, landed themselves a comfortable win 68 – 25 against the Solomon Islands, in both teams’ first match of the Pacific Games.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=YaBDo2QD_UA%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
