Crunch time at Hohola
 IT’S crunch time for teams participating in the major semi final of the Hohola Powes Parkop Cup off-season rugby league this Sunday as they vie for a place in the grand final. In the B grade, Hohola 2 Sapea take on Malipia Brothers in the first match at 11am followed by Titans and Texas Melona in the midday clash. The A Grade matches kicks off at 2pm with Tia Broncos taking match.
The Broncos have had a well earned rest and are all geared however, they will have to shut off Texas Melona’s play maker Stanley Tepend if they are to win. Tepend has been the key to the Texands string of victories lately and is the man to watch. The main game will be between Omaki Namona of Hoks 3 and Sikin Brothers of Gerehu at 4pm.
Meanwhile, league president Leo Lahui, has appealed once more to teams and their management to be on their best behaviour, adding that clubs who cause trouble may find themselves out of the competition next season. Lahui also warned that there will be police present during the matches. He also conveyed his best wishes to all the teams in the finals and also thanked all the clubs that have participated in the competition.

Play fair call
WAU Soccer Association has called on National Soccer League to be fair in their selection of players for the semi professional competition. WSA president Shem Farock called on franchise teams to give an opportunity to everyone who have been selected for the NSL teams “to play and not be permanently on the bench”. “It is slap on the face to the soccer followers of Wau to see two of our best players who have been selected into the Tuguba Laitepo Morobe Kumuls side not given an opportunity,” Farock said. “Mathew Yang played only two games and Hans Mambare only played once in Port Moresby and we are disappointed with the coach for not giving them any opportunity to show their talents.”
Farock said PNG U23 coach George Cowie fielded Yang in all the U23 games in Fiji. Yang showed his colours that he was one of the best up and coming PNG soccer star.

Mixed rugby results
LAE Technical College sounded an early warning when it defeated Telikom (1) 7-0, Harlequins shut out Royals (2) 7-0, Greyhounds (1) also defeated Telikom (2) 17-7, Lae Tech (1) caned Vikings (2) 12-5 and Pirates (2) walked over Defence (2) 7-0 in Lae rugby union matches last weekend. Defence (1) beat Lae Tech (2) 19-5, Harlequins (2) walloped (2) Unitech (1) 29-7, Telikom (2) drew with Pirates (1) 5-5, Harlequins (1) hammered Vikings (2) 29-7, Royals (1) gunned down Defence (2) 24-7 and Vikings (2) clobbered Unitech (2) 15-7. The teams were divided into two pools to compete in the round robin competition in the past two weekends. The last round will be played this weekend.

PNG Games evaulation
AN evaluation workshop on the PNG Games will be held at the National Sports Institute (NSI) in Goroka on March 28-30. This will be to discuss recurring issues and come up with resolutions for implementation in future Games. PNG Games Council chairman Edris Kumbrawah said in a press statement that the three-day workshop will be used to evaluate the overall organisation of the 3rd PNG Games in Lae last year. The PNG Games Council will also present its Games Charter. PNG Sports Foundation executive director John Kambuou will highlight the new direction and the way forward in sports, Martin Liri and Adrian Genolagi will also be speaking on sponsorship and law of indemnity at the workshop.

Warriors refute reports
PAGINI Warriors board has refuted recent comments by former coach Gore Kaupa that a 25-man squad will be named next week. Speaking on behalf of the board of directors Peter Gul said they had sacked Kaupa and appointed former trainer Wamil Gul as his replacement. “We don’t expect outsiders to comment on Warriors’ preparation for the 2008 season, Mr Kaupa is operating outside of Simbu and his comments should not be digested by our supporters,” Gul said. He said a new look line-up would be announced when all players recruitments and preparations were finalised.
He told The National from Kundiawa yesterday (Thursday) that preparation for the Simbu franchise team is going on smoothly with two trial matches with a Waghi side. Gul said they have recruited former Kumul and Bintangor Lahanis half back Balfinu Illai, Agmark Guria’s Ben Alex, Besta Eagles’ Ezekiel Ben. “These are all achieved under the new management board headed by John Nilkare, Patron and MP Joe Mek Teine and new coach Wamil Gul,” Gul said.
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