Sevens playoffs, rivalry heats up

 THIS is a “do or die” weekend at the Maltech Rugby Oval in the East New Britain Rugby Union sevens competition. 

Four clubs clash in the battle of Kokopo versus Rabaul as the Kokopo Barbarians take on the Rabaul Redskins. 

The loser bows out of finals contention and winner meets the loser of the top of the table clash between Cardinals and Maltech Rookies. 

The winner of this game claims the minor premiership title for the Under-15 division.

The sudden death clash in the U19 is between Redskins and Rookies, with the winner to play the loser of Tomaringa Royals and Rookies.

The winners in the bottom four matches face the losers of the top four clashes in the semi-finals. 

The premiership top four clashes begin with the undefeated Redskins playing second place-Rookies. 

The Redskins-Rookies clash winner is bestowed the minor premiership and advances to the grand final.

The loser is given a second shot, facing the winner of the bottom four clash between Matupit Diggers and Royals, with the loser bowing out.

East New Britain Rugby Football Union president Tony Namur said this weekend would complete the finals contenders and the grand final pair in U15, U19 and the premier grade.

Namur said following this weekend’s finals play-offs, the next weekend sees the competition going into recess.

He said all the finals would be played a week later, on April 27.