Madgauns blaze to victory in sevens

THE Sigma Construction Madgauns were crowned Madangs 7s rugby champions on Saturday in front of a capacity Madang rugby league ground crowd.
The tag was earned with a scintillating 17-5 win over young Igam side PNGDF Hiob Sappers in the cup final. Madgauns had to withstand a strong first-half challenge from the Sappers, going to the break with a 12-5 lead. The going got even tougher in the second as Aiem Pilokos’ men hardened up in defence to keep the home-side from widening the margin.
The former Pukpuk flyer sweated on the sidelines as his side tried to level up, only to be contained by a side just as committed in defence.
Ball handling skill and experience eventually persevered and the eventual winners scored at the death for the final 17-5 score.   
The biggest hurdle however for the champions was the scalp of national sevens champions Pacific MMI Kimbe Rebels in the semi-final won 15-10.
Nineteen-year-old Tusbab Year 12 student Athanasius Igag stamped his mark in only his third tournament for potential higher honours in the future with a hat-trick against the Rebels. His third try was the clincher as seconds ticked the Rebels Madang mission away.
The Rebels have only ever lost to three teams in their seven-year reign as national sevens champions, and the semi-final loss to the Madgauns is the second for the home team, after they beat them in the 2009 Trans Highway 7s in Lae. 
Sappers qualified for the final after beating Mendi Kawaso 15-10 in the other cup semi-final.