City Pharmacy Rebels, Paramana and Snax Mermaids, notched up comfortable wins in last night Port Moresby Premier Division.
It had been seven long weeks since the last round of matches, and there was an air of sluggishness as players shook off the cobwebs of almost two months of no competition. Paramana had a tight match against Telstars, a ten point buffer by the end of the third quarter- a struggle to maintain as the game ended 56 – 47.
That match played simultaneously with CPL Rebels taking on Veupunama. Veupunama has struggled throughout the season to keep a top two placing in Tier 2, with looming finals and they have exposed again defensively and in mid court. Rebels Goal Shooter Daisy Ole pairing well with GA Carol Pirika to good effect despite missing regular attacker and captain Lua Rikis. By far the most comfortable victory of last nights matches, Rebels winning big with a 56 – 31 final score.
The clash of the night, however, had rivals Snax Mermaids meet Credit Corp Sparrows. In June, the Sparrows had seemed the side most likely to unseat the mermaids at the top of the table. And despite a glimpse of brilliance, they struggled to impose themselves in the match. Watched by her father Deputy Prime Minister Charles Abel, Goal Defender Courtney Abel had another good performance for the sparrows albeit in a losing side. Mermaids are with a 47-40 win.
With the competition to resume next Wednesday, the Mermaids went home with a 47-40 win.
