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Sports |
Gurias in top spot
By DAVID KAPI
Agmark Gurias secured the minor premiership of the 2007 SP
Cup rugby league competition after demolishing Mabey & Johnson
Muruks 24-10 in Lae while Brian Bell Bulldogs missed out as a
spirited Wari Vele Raiders won 18-14 in Port Moresby yesterday.
The Lahanis and Warriors game in
Kagamuga, Western Highlands province, was called off after a
fight broke out between the two teams’ supporters when a try by
Lahanis was disputed and got out of hand when they were tied on
20-20 points a piece in the second half and called off as a
draw.
In the blockbuster of the rounds, the Wari Vele Raiders
out-muscled their local rivals Brian Bell Bulldogs to win 18-14
at Lloyd Robson Oval in Port Moresby, while LBC Bombers leap
into the top five with a commanding 24-4 win over Kunjin Eagles.
In Port Moresby, the Raiders in a must-win game to make the
finals playoffs, it was dual international in cricket and
league, outside centre Gimapau Keimelo who starred for the side
as he ran in two tries (32nd and 59th minutes), converted a
penalty and booted the conversions for a personal tally of 12
points while only other points came from winger Leroy Muriki
(36th minute) try and half-back Edea Morea’s conversion.
The first half of the game, as expected, was entertaining as
both sides gave it a go at its other as their big men came into
contact with some of the big hits of the season. Controversy
arose when a Jerard Haoda try was disallowed because it was
scored after the half time hooter had sounded and which referee
John Kidiru had awarded for a 8-4 scoreline.
In the second half, it was Raiders who got the better of the
Dogs, led by man-of-the-match Phillip Kumiye, veterans Kawage
Gagma and Andrew Norman plus raising star Nickson Kolo. Time and
again they gave space to sneaky half-back Edea Morea to direct
his team with good kicks to gain easy metres for the backline to
finish off.
However, the never-say-die attitude of the Bulldogs almost got
them home when reserve forward Roy Tela (65th minute) and
consistent hooker Benjamin John (67th minute) scored in the
space of two minutes to quickly set up a thrilling finish.
The Raiders kept their cool and fended off the Bulldogs comeback
with outstanding defence to finish as winners and, importantly,
ending a six-match losing streak to keep their finals hopes
alive.
After round 17, Gurias are on 24 points, Muruks 21, Bulldogs 21,
Lahanis 19, Bombers 18 Raiders 18, Mioks 16, Eagles 11 and
Warriors 10.
 
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