Anti-climax ends sevens race

 THE Kimbe Rebels have taken out the National Provincial Championship (NPC) rugby union sevens title by default.

The Rebels were handed the champions trophy after an altercation arose following the Morobe Hammerheads and Capital Rugby Union (CRU) Cup semi-final that ended in match referee Neil Daniels being assaulted.

After the final whistle, when CRU had beaten the Hammerheads 21-14, Daniels was set upon by Hammerheads players and officials.

Despite the dust-up, the Hammerheads then issued a complaint on CRU using James Lumaris from their CRU Team Two, who came off the bench in the last minute.

Both teams were deemed to have breached competition rules, the PNGRFU suggested a re-match but both teams failed to come out.

Thus giving the Rebels an easy victory but a sour ending to what was an exciting two days of rugby.

The PNGRFU were not available for comment on the issue of the assault on Daniels, or if further disciplinary action would be taken.  

The Rebels after been given the fright of their lives by Central in the Cup semi-final where they scraped through with a 19-14 win, didn’t have to raise a sweat to take top honours for the fourth time.

The Rebels previously won the title in 2007, 2009 and 2012, making them the most successful seven’s playing centre in the country.

Other Cup hopeful in the Madang Mad Gauns were nailed by the Hammerheads in the Cup quarterfinals and then given a send-off by the flamboyant Daru Stingrays in the Plate semi-finals.

The Black Orchids as well, found the going tough to make the Cup play-offs in consecutive weekends, found something to celebrate by beating crowd pleasers Daru Stingrays 26-14 for the Plate trophy.

While in the Bowl, New Ireland Drongos beat Gulf 17-10, and CRU Team Two beat Alotau 36-0 in the Shield final.

The PNG Sevens squad and new coach is expected to be announced this week.