| Sports |
Top four fight out in SP Cup finals
round
By DAVID KAPI
The 2007 SP Cup
rugby league competition enters round its second round of finals
football as the last remaining four teams in Brian Bell Bulldogs
and minor premiers Agmark Gurias fight for qualifying final
berth while its do or die for reigning premiers Mabey & Johnson
Muruks and the Bintangor Lahanis as they clash this weekend.
It’s a test of time for the defending champions Muruks in Lae as
they have another mountain to climb with a big weight of
defending championship tag on their shoulder after losing 18-8
to the Bulldogs, but this time against a very enthusiastic and
in-form Lahanis outfit who crushed the city franchise Wari Vele
Raiders 36-12 in eliminations last week and will be looking to
do the same with that crucial come from behind win.
The Bulldogs and Gurias clash at Kalabond, in Kokopo, is the one
to watch as both teams will give it to each other for a grand
final berth.
The Gurias are fresh from bye and will enjoy home final
advantage while the Bulldogs though with their backs on the wall
and without any wins from as many games in the season at the
renowned “grave yard” at Kalabond, the city franchise are quite
confident after a moral boosting thumbing of the defending
champions Muruks in Lae last week and their 28-18 win in round
13 in the season to break the hoodoos in Rabaul.
Coach Chris Enara said that his boys were mentally and
physically prepared for an onslaught against the minor premiers,
Gurias as there was buzz and high spirit in the Dogs camp this
year as opposed to this time last season.
Enara, announcing the same side that took field last week said
that he was confident that the boys would do put in a good game
as all of his key players were in their own best form which was
good for the whole team performance towards the finals.
“We exposed Gurias defence couple of times so we are confident
that it’s a new ball game in the finals so we will put a big
performance,” said Enara
Meanwhile, coach Peter Danga will have is big men in Nicko
Slain, Nigel Hukula, Paulus Mondo, Sigfred Gande and Junior Ropa
to do the damage for little general half-back Ilai Bafinuc and
five-eighth Pat Siwi to direct dangerous backline to run havoc.
However, Muruks are renowned big game players and will do so
through the leadership of ace five-eighth Stanley Hondina and
stylish lock Joseph Omae to lead them for backline of Charlie
Wabo and Jonathan Wagano to show what they can do in crunch
matches.
 
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