A grade promotion for cricket premiers
PORT Moresby A Grade cricket could have a new team in its ranks with PB Cheung Dragons winning the B Grade final over the weekend.
The 40-run win against Kavari has put PB Cheung in the box seat for promotion to the top tier competition next season.
In Saturdays B Grade final Pactec Kavari (127 all out) were unable to match Dragonís score of 167 to hand the PB Cheung sponsored team the right to step up into the top grade.
In the rain affected match at Amini Park Dragonís took to the crease first and fashioned a competent 167 off their allotted 40 overs. Batsmen who figured in the score were Notau Alewa 39, Navu Maha 38, and James Amini 24 who along with tail-ender Alewa Alu 15 combined for a stubborn 43 run partnership for the last wicket.
Kavariís Phil Gavera bowled superbly to finish with 5 for 40 off 8 overs.
The Pactec response was already in deep trouble to be 76-6 by the 19th over before rain stopped play. Continuing on Sunday morning Kavari tried valiantly to stay in the contest but only managed to add a further 51 runs before collapsing to be all out for 127 in the 37th.
Morea Kamea 39, and Sereva Rei 22, batted well for Kavari while for PBC a six wicket haul to Abari Tamarua (6-34) put the icing on a powerful Dragons performance.
And in the U/19 final BNG Poreporena (113 all out) scored a solid 41 run victory against KCC (72 all out).

Hagen RL kicks off
THE revived Mt Hagen Rugby League kicked off its season proper last Sunday at the rundown Rebiamul football ground outside Mount Hagen city.
The selections of the franchise Bintango Mt Hagen Eagles squad to take part in the SP Inter-city cup challenge will be named in this proper season games between the locals registered clubs.
There are only six registered clubs now participating in the competition. Two other clubs are in a process of paying their registration fee before being admitted in the competition.
In the season proper last Sunday, New Town Jets defeated Kum Tigers 11-0 while the Mt Hagen Storms crashed Kagamuga Warriors 10-0. Kui Raiders and Panthers have been sidelined for the incompletion of their club registrations fees.

Cup lures total of 24
MENDI CENTRAL will be among 24 teams who have nominated to take part in the Coca-Cola Ipatas Cup rugby league challenge in Wabag this Easter weekend.
The four-day tournament kicks off on Good Friday.
Coached by former Mendi Muruks winger Wale Molsie, the team of Mark Kapia, Richard Kengi and Bit Embia will be leading the boys from central Southern Highlands.
Team manager Gideon Karali said the team is made up of players rejected by the other Mendi teams participating in the competition, Mendi Menjals and Giluwe Tigers.
Karali said the boys have shown their commitment and have been training for two weeks now and they looking forward for the good game in Wabag.
The teams will be vying for the K20,000 prize money.
Enga Governor Peter Ipatas have committed K40,000 while the major sponsor and softdrink giant has also donated K40,000 for the tournament.
The Toyota Mioks selection committee will also use the Ipatas Cup to select its train-on squad for 2008 SP Cup season.
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