Barbs favoured

 LUGAGUN and Mangai Barbs are favourites for the cup after winning their respective matches in the Kara Nalik Rugby Union sevens playoffs in New Ireland.

The competition consists of village-based teams from the Kara Nalik area on the east coast along the Buluminsky Highway. Lugagun Beach Oval is about an hour’s drive from Kavieng town. 

After 12 weeks of competition, both teams continued their dominance after beating Munawai and Madina to now be on stand-by for the semi-finals on Saturday.

Lugagun beat Munawai 5-0 with the only try coming from Andrew Arthur with good support from John Kosolat and Lingut Arthur.

Munawai’s former Pukpuk Daniel Kulmat showed he still has not lost his form but could not break Lugagun’s tight defence.

While for Mangai Barbs, they nailed Madina 12-5 with former PNG U20 player Junior Tabutabu, Tambali Lungaio, Junior Lungaio, Lingai Pitalai and Pillie Pitalai giving good service in a strong win.

Barbs coach George Pitalai said the matches were of reasonable standard and hopes the PNGRFU could come and witness what they are doing to keep the game alive. 

Madina’s former Pukpuk Eremas Simba and Gemo Kunak tried their best without making an impact on the end result. 

Munawai will play Ngavalus and Madina against Konos in the knock-outs.

The winners will play Lugagun and Mangai to decide the Cup and Plate finalists.