Gurias make grand final

MINOR premiers Rabaul Agmark Gurias have made the SP Cup rugby league competition grand final by disposing of Port Moresby franchise Brian Bell Bulldogs in the qualifying final in Kokopo yesterday. Bulldogs will now meet reigning premiers Mabey & Johnson Muruks who were the other winners over Goroka’s Bintangor Lahanis in the elimination final in Lae yesterday.
Lahanis, an early competition leader and premierships hopefuls, will hang up their boots for the season while Muruks and Bulldogs will do battle next week to see who will meet Gurias in two weeks time.
At Kokop yesterday, Gurias kept their undefeated home record intact when they beat the Bulldogs 22-18. Their lead was no more than four points but they they were faster and led from start to finish.
About 1,000 people from all corners of East New Britain province turned up at Kokopo to witness the clash at Kalabond field.
In Lae, more than 5,000 packed the Lae Rugby League ground to see Muruks beat Lahanis 22-10 in a game which coach Jack Kereme described as satisfying because they played according to their game plan.
They led all the way, including taking a commanding 12-0 lead at half-time.
Lahanis assistant coach Mark Mom said the slippery condition of the field robbed them of a win and they were penalised too many times which cut down their wining chances.
‘We were never in the game in the first half, Muruks capitalised on our mistakes to lead 12-0 at halftime and extended their lead in the second half to win the game.
 

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