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Sports |
SP Cup protest
Lahanis-Warriors
clash abandoned after row over Lahanis try
By ZACHERY PER
THE PNG Rugby Football League will decide on the outcome of the
SP Cup game between Pagini Warriors and Bintangor Lahanis in
Goroka yesterday which was abandoned ten minutes before full
time following a protest by Warriors players, officials and
supporters.
Earlier, beer bottles and stones were hurled onto the field by
Lahanis supporters forcing the match to be stopped briefly as
spectators were calmed down.
Referee John Ropa called off the game after his decision to
award a try to Lahanis after a one-on-one tackle by Lahanis
winger Garnet Auwo on Warriors Toxsi Ow was hotly constested by
the Warriors.
Warriors players, official and supporters protested against the
decision saying that their Owi was tackled with the ball being
dead in the tackle, however Lahanis' Auwo wrestled the ball off
after the tackle and raced over to score.
The try gave Lahanis a 16-14 lead with the conversion pending
when the Warriors players protested and demanded that the
referee to rescind his decision.
Police quickly moved on to the field to protect the referee. A
heated debate followed and negotiation with the Warriors player
lasted more than 30 minutes.
Both management of Warriors and Lahanis agreed to appeal to the
PNGRFL judiciary board to decide on who should be awarded the
win.
Warriors coach Gore Kaupa expressed disappointment, alleging
that the referee was inconsistent with his rulings throughout
the game.
Kaupa said they were preparing in advance to give the
competition leader a good game and they did but the referee's
inconsistent rulings killed their game.
"Our game plan worked well, as we prepared well for this game,"
Kaupa said.
Lahanis were the first to score after halfback Balfinu Ilai
stepped through to set up Mack Siwi to cross over. Anton Kui's
conversion was successful putting Lahanis to hit the front 6-0.
Warriors quickly replied through prop Roger Kuman in the corner,
Tomson Kwiwa's boot found the crossbar from a difficult position
to equalise 6-all.
The visitors continued the onslaught when skipper Porian Bal
bumped off several Lahanis defenders to score a try under the
post which was converted to take the Warriors lead 12-6.
Lahanis forward Nicko Slain ripped the ball off Kuman in front
of the Lahanis goal mouth and the Warriors potted the penalty
kick to extend their lead 14-6 and went for half time break.
Two minutes into the second half, Lahanis supporters hurled
empty beer bottles and stones onto Warriors players after one of
them punched a Lahanis player.
Warriors winger Michael Mark was hit on the head with a stone,
and the incident held the game up for ten minutes.
After a successful negotiation between officials of both sides,
the games resumed with a penalty kick and try to Lahanis flanker
Alphnonse Kapil that narrowed the gap 12-14.
With ten minutes left on the clock, Auwo kicked ahead and chased
to tackle and wrestled the ball off Owi that caused Warriors to
oppose the referee's ruling, and the premature ending to the
game.
 
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