WHAT started as a fun activity turned into a serious competition for The Fiji Times West Bureau netball team.
With the initial aim to socialise and keep them fit, this group of staff members joined the Lautoka Business House Mixed netball competition earlier this year and shocked regular teams by making the finals last night.
However, the side lost to Airports 3-13 in the final.
The Fiji Times skippered by West Bureau chief Margaret Wise defeated Teachers, which was one of the stronger teams in the competition, 10-8 in the quarters before overcoming Dentals 10-9 in the semis.
Team manager Felix Chaudhary said it was the team effort that guided them through to the finals.
"They played as a team to outsmart the opposing teams. Teachers were one of the stronger teams in the competition and I think they underestimated us in the semis," the former Marist Brother's High School student said.
The Fiji Times West Bureau team consisted of Wise, Loata Radrodro, Repeka Nasiko, Ruci Bauleka, Savenaca Rokoua, Maleli Turuva, Semisi Waqa and lanky Baljeet Singh.