| Sports |
Panthers pounce on Tigers to win
in Tari
By ANDREW ALPHONSE
HALUKAYA Panthers
are the premiers of Tari rugby league after narrowly defeating
Tigers 10-5 in one of the most peaceful grand finals ever staged
in Tari league’s history.
According to league president Rex Paliako, both sides equally
determined to end the season on a high note, started the match
well with suicidal hit-ups and driving gang-tackles that kept
the huge parochial crowd on their toes for the full 80 minutes.
Tigers led by diminutive five-eight Kuya Tayanda, Bat Kila, Kope
Poralia, Joseph Kaupa, Paul Gawe, Jack Hipulu, Andiki Andane and
Dickson Ayako launched an early attack and applied pressure into
the Panther’s territory.
Their efforts reaped dividends with Tayanda kicking a field goal
and two successful penalties for an early led 5-0 lead.
However, Panthers led by skipper and man of the match Chris Lai
directed play for his young guns of James Amu, Paiya John, Rex
Kombo, Hepe Naia, Mathias Brian, Tony Takua, Kaiabe and fullback
Peter Timu to look for scoring opportunities.
A long cut-out pass from Lai in the 35th minute found Takua to
score in the corner. Lai failed to convert and the minor
premiers trailed 4-5 into the break.
It was again all fireworks in the second half but Lai again
placed a beautiful pass for his blockbusting forward James Amu
for another four pointer in the corner. Panthers bagged the
inaugural PJV Cup and K500 cash prize while Tigers settled for
K300 as runners-up.
Paliako praised the players and supporters for ensuring
trouble-free finals series.
Porgera Joint Venture’s Tari office sponsored the finals series
with the trophy and cash prizes.
 
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