Preseason stint ends with win

By SULI SULI
TELSTARS have ended their preseason stint with a 24-11 win over Gulf Isou in the Port Moresby Netball Association (POMNA) third trials on Sunday.
Telstars fielded a pool of youngsters to welcome the Isou netball club, who are debuting this year in the premier division
The three-week trials at the Rita Flynn Outdoor Courts prepares teams for next month’s proper season.
Telstars mentor Veitu Diro said the junior players were composed during the trials in the premier division.
She said five players from the Under-21 team – Alexsandria Ligo, Jemimah Mai, Jodie Gamoga, Petranella Kila and Symone Dawanincura – were promoted to the premier division, in attempts to relive their 2019 premiership title run.
“A number of our senior players are no longer playing so we’ve given the opportunity to U21 players to step in and play,” she told The National. “The preseason was a good hit out for them to have a taste of the premier competition.
“The five of them are currently in the national U21 Pepes team so the club has decided to promote them to compete at the top level.”
The young talents displayed good ball movement from midcourt through to the shooting department in Sunday’s match.
Ligo was flawless under the ring with assistance from Martha Matuka as the duo worked side-by-side to put Telstars ahead.
Isou had a taste of the premier court in the first half, trailing 3-14 at the break but coped well in the second stanza, which saw them basket eight goals.
The Gulf women couldn’t keep up with the intensity shown by the young Telstars outfit in the last quarter.