Royals set to defend title after beating Storm

By JACK AMI
PORT Moresby Rugby League defending champions Royals beat minor premiers Kone Storm 36-28 to keep their premierships hopes alive at the National Football Stadium yesterday.
In the preliminary final on Sunday, Royals take on Paga Panthers while Hohola Flies lock horns with Tarangau at the NFS.
The winner of these matches will advance to the grand final.
Royals led 18-10 at half time and did not look back holding off the Storm in a tight second 40.
Earlier on Tarangau had beaten the Storm 8-4 in the qualifying final last Saturday at National Football Stadium Oval 2 and yesterday’s capitualtion was a disappointing end to the Konedobu side’s run into the finals.
The Hanuabada Hawks, who went down to the Paga Panthers 36-16  in the top four playoff in the opening week of the finals came undone against the Flies losing 20-12 in the qualifying finals.
It has been a tough journey for these teams making the top eight and despite dominating the regualr season, the Hawks and Storm are now gone. Royals with the retrun of Digicel Cup and Hunters squad members in hooker/half Gahuna Silas and wing.three-quater William Aquila are in the box seat to defend their title and make it back-to-back successes in 2016.
Despite a poor start to the session the men in blue have proven that form is fleeting and class permanent.