IT is a debut to remember for defender Episake Kahatoka who played an instrumental role in the Fiji Pearls’ win over Samoa in the Oceania Netball Tri-Series at the Vodafone Arena last night.
The close contest which kept the fans on the edge of their seats went in favour of the Fijians who scraped through with a 46-44 win.
The 18-year-old Navosa netter, who played goalkeeper, the position held by skipper Mere Rabuka Neiliko, was superb in defence against the experienced Samoan shooter Monica Fuimaono.
She made several intercepts, which delighted the fans including the Silver Ferns who came to watch the match, with her superb aerial skill and pace.
The visitors raced to an early lead but the Pearls managed to fight back with support from centre led by best performer Vaiti Waqatabu combined with an excellent defending led by veteran Matila Waqanidrola.
Shooters Nina Cirikisuva and Maria Lutua put on an average performance inside the goal circle and helped the national side lead 13-10 at the end of the opening quarter.
The Pearls led 24-21 at the break.
Samoa came back stronger in the second spell and Fuimaono’s combination with her shooting partner Julianna Na’oupu heaved pressure on the error riddled Fijian side, which maintained a slender lead of 37-36, heading into the final quarter.
The final quarter was an intense neck and neck game and some brilliant intercepts from Kahatoka and Waqatabu handed the Pearls their first win in the series.
Pearls coach Kate Carpenter admitted they were lucky to have come out victors.
“I think there is a lot of learning and still got a lot of work to do and I think we need to be mentally tough and more consistent towards the end of the match,” Carpenter said.
Samoa coach Marcia Hardcastle said her players did not stick to the game plan in the opening half but lauded their effort during the second spell.
The Pearls will take on the series winner’s Ferns in the final match tonight at 6.30pm.
Netball Fiji president Wainikiti Bogidrau confirmed the first 100 people to turn up to the gates would get a free entry to the game.
