12 clubs will do battle in Ipatas Cup challenge

GOROKA Rugby League oval will be packed to capacity this weekend as the biggest off-season rugby league competition in the country, the Coca-Cola Ipatas Cup (CCIC) enters its second stage.
Twelve clubs have been confirmed for the Highlands regional qualifier, and just like the first qualifier in Lae last weekend, the three-day challenge will be played in three pools.
It is a round-robin format where the pool leaders will progress to the elimination finals set for Lae.
The competition’s technical director John Pasingan said the field condition was perfect and Goroka Rugby League was excited and happy to be hosting the challenge.
He confirmed that Goroka women’s rugby league would play the first two matches today before the 12 clubs face off.
The clubs are Titans, Kusavi, Royals, Raiders, Cowboys, Zokinoka Nokotis, Siane, Hawks, CC West, Ela Faffy, Warriors and Fol Country.
After this weekend matches, the elimination will feature the top three clubs from each regional qualifier, who will meet in Lae.
Chief executive officer Timothy Lepa said he was confident of a big turn out for the event after a successful turnout last weekend.