Paga Panthers sign trio from Mendi Muruks
By HENRY MORABANG
PAGA Panthers have secured the services of three ex-Mendi Muruks players to beef up theirs campaign for 2008.
Coach Richard Wagambie yesterday confirmed that lock forward Malachi Owen, Jonathan Wagano and his centre partner Wesley Benny, have all signed up with the Blue Boys and are likely to take the field this weekend.
Wagambie, who is a no-nonsense coach, said the three Southern Highlanders have joined the club at their own accord following their fall-out with SP Cup premiers, Mabey & Johnson Muruks.
The trio will join skipper Joe Sipa and Kumul centre Gimapau Keimelo along with promising Elijah Riyong to do battle with aggressive Brothes outfit on Sunday.
Brothers have elusive Boas Ruru, Romalus Mago, Daniel Peng, Bal Kamane, Carl Samson and Paul Nui, who will be all fired-up to take on struggling Paga Panthers this weekend.
Paga has lost two points to Butterflies for fielding SP Cup suspended player Samuel Maniat but are appealing to PRL judiciary following their clarification from PNGRFL chief executive officer Jeff Wade.
The Bogasi-sponsored Dobo Warriors and Royals is also another good game to watch.
The red-hot Warriors from Koiari will be led by tireless skipper Thomas Ninkama, Abraham Yobale, Jonah Kuman, Vali Kapa, hooker Momoa Nuana in the forwards while in the backline, Abraham Yobale will lead his backline players.
Hawks should have a hard time over Kone Tigers, who should have all their players from Masta Mak Rangers in the line-up, which include Roy Tela, Nixon Kolo and Stanley Tepend.
Hekari Tarangau should have no problem over a toothless Waliya outfit.
Waliya need to recruit more heavy forwards and players who can read the game.
Tarangau coach James Naipao will be calling on big guns in Luke Kolalio, Simon Tonge and Charlies Onguglo from the Rangers while Joshua Girua and Mathias Emiabo from the Vipers side should be back to strengthen its attacking game.
Butterflies under the coaching team of Tony Kila and Bobby Ako, two former Kumuls players, should give Wests a good game.
Wests are under the guidance of former Kumul and Tarangau frontman Ben “Big Foot” Bire, who is slowly picking up their form to stay competitive in the tough Port Moresby league competition.
The sleeping crocodiles have been down in the dowldrums too long and Bire is attempting to put some life back into the club.
The crocs have the talent but need the right direction to hone it for the best affect.
Tomorrow, Kawaso Defence will be all fired up to meet Magani.
Magani is also picking up their form and it would be very interesting to see, how they go this weekend.
Magani coach Ivan Ravu will have to create some miracles to get them over the mobile Defence forward pack led by Steven Johns, Nap brothers Dick and Samson, Nelson Wanga, Andrew “Tricky” Andiki, Jarrod Hoada and Geno Ralani.
The Defence and Magani game should go down to the wire.
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