Saints outrun Patuki to bag Hoskins Aussie Rules title

Sports

ST FRANCIS scored an eight-point win (52-44) over Patuki to win the Lolo-Vula AFL Rules final in Hoskins, West New Britain, recently.
The match played at Malalia in wet and slippery conditions on a Saturday, saw the Saints hold out a fast-finishing Patuki to claim the 2016 flag after a tumultuous finals series that saw the grand final called off after violence two weeks ago.
St Francis jumped out of the blocks in the first quarter, rattling off eight scoring kicks to Patuki’s two and the trend continued into the second frame, with the Saints taking a 29-11 lead to halftime.
Patuki to their credit made a better contest of things in the third frame and edged their rivals marginally picking up a goal and three behinds (9) to the Saints’ single major (6).
Patuki got their second wind in the final frame and launched a comeback that netted 24 points but try as they would, it was too little too late, as the Sainta posted 17 points (two goals and five behinds) to stay in front until the final whistle.
Lolo-Vula AFL Rules Association patron Justice Elenas Batari spoke at the post match presentation, commending both sides for playing football in the true spirit of the game.