Diwai bows out in final

By PORENI UMAU, Post Courier

DROPPED balls was the order of the day as LBC Warriors forced Ela Diwai to hang up their boots for the season, winning 10-8 in Madang Rugby League semi-finals last Sunday.
The win gives Warriors the chance to have a crack at the grand finals with Royals this weekend. The game, played before a vocal crowd at the Ron Albert Oval was played down to a nail biting finish with Warriors getting the upper hand with two minutes to full time via a penalty conversion by Esekiel Roka after Diwai fullback Douglas Kata tripped Abi Ekai.
Eka had only Kata to beat after he broke through the Diwai defence only to be tripped and was awarded a penalty that gave his team the win at full time.
Diwai was the first to score with a minute into kick off when Warriors fullback Roger Diru spilled the ball in his goal area. A well orchestrated play by Diwai halves Grant Towingo and Anaga Issac sent winger Jerry Jacob over the try line for the first four pointer. Issac lifted the flags to give Divine Word University a 6-nil lead.
Diwai then launched attacks with hard running forwards Adrian Baungas, Eddie Lappa, captain Joel Martin leading the way.
Warriors tackling machine Samson Mala, Jessey Alko, Kelema Andrew and Hector Morris kept the uni boys at bay. Warriors led by their forwards and strong runs from winger Kembol Kaikepe countered the Diwai raid and in the 13th minute Kaikepe dropped the ball with the try line wide open and at his mercy after a good set play.
The Warriors regrouped and tormented the Diwai defence with halves Albie Eka and Esekiel Roka leading and testing Diwai at will. The pressure produced a try in the 18th minute when centre John Lango dived over for the Warriors four pointer. Eka‘s conversion tied the scores at 6-all to the break.
The second stanza saw Warriors come out with all guns blazing as they launched several raids against the Diwai defence.
Both teams refused to give in but Warriors was the better side in a hard fought match, winning by a mere 10-8 at fulltime.

Warriors edge out Diwai in Madang league

LAE Builders and Contractors Warriors edged out defending premiers Ela Diwai 10-8 in Globe Madang Rugby League to book the second grand final spot.
Warriors, who are also the minor premiers, will play Bangui Royals in the grand final on Sunday and vie for the inaugural Globe Cup, sponsored by Madang-based Globe Manufacturing Ltd.
Royals toppled Warriors 20-16 two weeks ago to book the first grand final spot and were on bye last week.
Diwai had a good run in the finals smashing Mangra Hawks 52-0 in a mid-week match last Wednesday and hoped to repeat the same on Warriors.
But, the Warriors had other ideas and gave little room to the defending premiers, who held the title for six consecutive seasons.

Royals book grand final spot

BANGUI Royals defeated minor premiers LBC Warriors 22-16 to book the first grand final berth in Globe Madang Rugby Football League at the Ron Albert Oval last Sunday.
Warriors handed the game over to Royals on a golden plate by going to sleep for 60 minutes of the game after doing well in the opening 20 minutes when they led 16-8.
By half-time, the Warriors had allowed the Royals to reduce the margin to 16-12 and in the final stanza their mistake rate shot to the roof and the policemen made them pay to remain scoreless.
Warriors scored first to lead 4-0 in the opening 10 minutes and when Royals levelled to 4-4, the opposition added three more tries.
But Royals capitalised on the mounting Warriors mistakes and several telling indiscretions by former SP Cup referee Saea Kavora, which included a try that was scored from a forward pass.
Warriors will now play the winners of the re-match between Ela Diwai and Hawks on Sunday to have another crack at advancing to the grand final.
The Diwai-Hawks match was called off by referee Joe Boi because it was getting dark.
Diwai were leading 18-12 with 12 minutes on the clock.

Madang prepares for Lae tournament

by ROSALYN EVARA, Post Courier

GLOBE Madang Rugby League has announced its select side for the Northern Zone tournament to be played in Lae from July 23-25.
They are Junior Marava (Tarangau) Richard Hoffman (Tarangau), Danley Rema (DWU), Albert Kaupa (Panthers), John Pasingan Jnr (Brothers), Ezikiel Rowa (Warriors), Peter Dama (DWU), Roger Koyomu (Warriors), Jeffery Supan (DWU), Jack Taraika (Panthers), Arron Tokopag (DWU), Tony Jacob (Royals), Alfie Mike (Royals), Manu Tobias (Tarangau), Daniel Ikiwa (Warriors), Nathan John (Panthers), Simon Wareva(Royals), Eddie Lapa (DWU), David Teine (Tarangau), Solo Koromba (Royals), Hector Morris (Warriors), Gopana Kia (Tarangau), Biu Adam (Hawks), Raymond Rinoko (Tarangau), Timothy Peter (Hawks), Adrian Boungas (DWU).
Globe MRL President Philip Welia said Felix Tema has been appointed as team manager, Bobby Razeye-head coach, Chris Sibet-assistant coach, Boston Jack-trainer and Hugh Saweni, team doctor.
Welia said preparations for the event started last week and was to have included a match with the Mendi Muruks on Friday at the Ron Albert Oval. He said Muruks were the top runners in the bemobile cup competition and that the game would help in building confidence, especially of the younger players before they take to the field in the Lae meet.
He said MRL would be fielding an A Grade and Under 19 side and while they had the sponsorship of Globe they would need more.
“The sponsorship from Globe is to be paid in five installments and this is still not enough to cater for the whole season alone,” he said.
In making these remarks he appealed to the business houses in town for their support.
“After a long absence MRL has been reactivated and has the ability to contribute some of the best talents.
“These are our boys and with your support we will be able to give the young ones in particular the opportunity to develop and progress in this code.
“To take the boys to Lae we will have to pay for transport, food and lodging for the duration of the three-day meet and this is likely to cost up to K8000 for the two teams. “Any assistance be it in cash or kind would be much appreciated,” he said.
Welia said immediately the team needed jerseys for the players.